Introduction to Magnetohydrodynamics

by P. A. Davidson

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781316861653
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/22/2016
Series:	Cambridge Texts in Applied Mathematics , #55
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	30 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

P. A. Davidson is a professor in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. He has authored over 100 publications in the fields of magnetohydrodynamics and turbulence, including the books Turbulence: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers (2015) and Turbulence in Rotating, Stratified and Electrically Conducting Fluids (2013). He is also an associate editor of the Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

Table of Contents

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review of previous edition:
"… an excellent book, which provides a refreshing introduction and a welcome addition to the MHD literature."
A. M. Soward, Journal of Fluid Mechanics

Review of previous edition:
"The language of this book is simple, vivid, yet fully scientific. It is a real pleasure to read … worth recommending, not only to students, but also to everyone who is interested in MHD, particularly to theoreticians who, as a rule, know almost nothing about metallurgical applications of MHD."
Applied Mechanics Review

Review of previous edition:
"Like other texts in the series, the typography is easy on the eyes and the price easy on the purse. All in all, a wonderful introduction to the subject and more!"
Stanley A. Berger, Physics Today

Review of previous edition:
"… a thorough introduction to conducting fluid mechanics … an excellent and informative book that can be well recommended."
S. W. H. Cowley, Contemporary Physics

Review of previous edition:
"The author writes lucidly and maintains the reader's interest in several ways: he formulates arguments provocatively, sometimes as paradoxes; he provides apt quotations; he points to exciting applications; and he enlivens his text with historical snippets … It is written with love, and in a completely consistent style."
Paul H. Roberts, SIAM Review

Review of previous edition:
"The book is unique in bringing together a number of diverse topics … [It] makes for rewarding reading, and I recommend it to all students of MHD, no matter what their persuasion. It would be an excellent textbook for students with interest in the engineering applications, but also will serve as a perfect complementary text for an introductory plasma MHD course."
Elena V. Belova, American Journal of Physics

'The rich scholarship presented in this monograph is a result of the author’s ongoing study of these concepts … This careful documentation, also provided for modern technology, gives the reader an exceptional glimpse into this field.' J. W. Jerome, MathSciNet

'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

From the Publisher