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.
- An inclusive introduction which covers all the main branches of magnetohydrodynamics
- This second edition offers a wealth of new material surrounding fusion plasma magnetohydrodynamics, planetary dynamos and astrophysical applications
- Requires no advanced mathematics, as physical insights are prioritised over mathematical detail
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Reviews & endorsements
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
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Product details
- Edition: 2nd Edition
- Date Published: December 2016
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9781316613023
- length: 572 pages
- dimensions: 246 x 174 x 30 mm
- weight: 1.02kg
- contains: 120 b/w illus. 15 tables 35 exercises
- availability: Available
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.
Look Inside
Author
P. A. Davidson, University of Cambridge
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.