Mathematics of Fluids and Plasmas

Content

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Description

Time: TBC

Location for Maxwell Institute students: Bayes Centre (5.46)

Module Leader: Erin Goldstraw

Module Summary

This introductory module provides the general mathematical foundation for describing fluids and plasmas known as hydrodynamics (HD)  and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). For both areas the main equations are derived and key topics of waves and instabilities are discussed. Maxwell’s equations will be introduced briefly to derive the MHD equations. For a more detailed description of Maxwell’s equations see the recommended books.

The last lecture will summarise the main points and introduce some of the broad range of research fields connected to these topics such as solar physics and fusion. This module aims to compliment research group specific induction programmes and specialist summer schools.

Assessment

Assessment is in the form of two assignments which are required to be typeset in Latex.

Lecture notes will be provided in pdf/html.

Suggested books include:

Hydrodynamics:

 Landau  & Lifshitz  (1987). Fluid Mechanics (2nd ed.).

Batchelor  (2000). An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics. Cambridge University Press.

Magnetohydrodynamics:

Davidson  (2001). An Introduction to Magnetohydrodynamics. Cambridge University Press

 Freidberg  (2014). Ideal MHD. Cambridge University Press

Additional suggestion for Maxwell’s equations:

Fleisch  (2008). A Student's Guide to Maxwell's Equations. Cambridge University Press