Axisymmetric stagnation point flow in magnetohydrodynamics

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Applied Scientific Research, Section B: Electrophysics, Acoustics, Optics, Mathematical Methods

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02922226· OSTI ID:4813809

Axford, W. I.

A theoretical treatment is presented of the axisymmetric stagnation point problem in magnetohydrodynamics. Two distinct arrangements of the magnetic field are considered, with the lines of force lying in the plane of, and perpendicular to the streamlines, respectively. The boundary conditions are examined carefully and the solutions are completed by joining them to meaningful distributions of magnetic field in the solid region. Exact solutions can be obtained by numerical methods, but it is more ijluminating to consider approximations valid for very large and very small diIfusion numbers (ratio of kinematic viscosity to magnetic diffusivity). Distinct boundary layers of current and vorticity occur in these limiting cases, which can be treated separately. For flows with the first arrangement of the magnetic field, and in which the field does not vanish at infinity. lt is deduced that the solution refers to a forward stagnation point when the Alfven number is less than unity, and to a rear stagnation point when the Alfven number exceeds unity. An interesting choking effect is found in flows with the second arrangement of the magnetic field when the diffusion number is small, and the Alfven number exceeds unity; it is believed that this effect could be demonstrated in the laboratory.

• Research Organization: Defence Research Telecommunications Establishment, Ottawa
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-16-005786
• OSTI ID: 4813809
• Journal Information: Applied Scientific Research, Section B: Electrophysics, Acoustics, Optics, Mathematical Methods, Journal Name: Applied Scientific Research, Section B: Electrophysics, Acoustics, Optics, Mathematical Methods Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 9; ISSN 0365-7140
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALFVEN NUMBER
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CONFIGURATION
DIFFUSION
FLUID FLOW
LAYERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICS
STABILITY
VELOCITY
VISCOSITY