Introduction to Magnetohydrodynamics

Comprehensive textbook prioritising physical ideas over mathematical detail. New material includes fusion plasma magnetohydrodynamics.

P. A. Davidson (Author)

9781107160163, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 December 2016

572 pages, 120 b/w illus. 15 tables 35 exercises
25.3 x 18 x 3.5 cm, 1.16 kg

'This book is at once a useful basic textbook introducing the elements of electromagnetism and fluid dynamics and, at the same time, an informative research monograph targeting professional researchers in industry and academia.' K. Alan Shore, Optics & Photonics News

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) plays a crucial role in astrophysics, planetary magnetism, engineering and controlled nuclear fusion. This comprehensive textbook emphasizes physical ideas, rather than mathematical detail, making it accessible to a broad audience. Starting from elementary chapters on fluid mechanics and electromagnetism, it takes the reader all the way through to the latest ideas in more advanced topics, including planetary dynamos, stellar magnetism, fusion plasmas and engineering applications. With the new edition, readers will benefit from additional material on MHD instabilities, planetary dynamos and applications in astrophysics, as well as a whole new chapter on fusion plasma MHD. The development of the material from first principles and its pedagogical style makes this an ideal companion for both undergraduate students and postgraduate students in physics, applied mathematics and engineering. Elementary knowledge of vector calculus is the only prerequisite.

Part I. From Maxwell's Equations to Magnetohydrodynamics: 1. A qualitative overview of MHD
2. The governing equations of electrodynamics
3. A first course in fluid dynamics
4. The governing equations of MHD
Part II. The Fundamentals of Incompressible MHD: 5. Kinematics – advection, diffusion and intensification of magnetic fields
6. Dynamics at low magnetic Reynolds number
7. Dynamics at high magnetic Reynolds number
8. An introduction to turbulence
9. MHD turbulence at low and high magnetic Reynolds number
Part III. Applications in Engineering and Materials: 10. The world of metallurgical MHD
11. The generation and suppression of motion in castings
12. Axisymmetric flows driven by the injection of current
13. MHD instabilities in aluminium reduction cells
Part IV. Applications in Physics: 14. The geodynamo
15. Stellar magnetism
16. Plasma containment in fusion reactors
Appendix A. Vector identities and theorems
Appendix B. Physical properties of liquid metals
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Mathematical physics [PHU], Electricity, electromagnetism & magnetism [PHK], Plasma physics [PHFP], Fluid mechanics [PHDF]