INSTABILITY OF A CONDUCTING FLUID CARRYING UNIFORM CURRENT IN THE PRESENCE OF A HOMOGENEOUS MAGNETIC FIELD

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · Arkiv Fysik

OSTI ID:4836554

Murty, G S

The stability of an infinite slab of an incompressible, inviscid fluid of low electrical conductivity carrying a uniform current produced by external sources is investigated in two cases: when both the surfaces of the fluid slab are free; and when one surface is free, the other being rigid. In the latter case the influence of gravity acting perpendicular to the surface of the slab is included. The influence of surface tension of the fluid is taken into account in both the cases. The effect of a homogeneous magnetic field produced by external sources and directed along the current in the fluid is also discussed. It is shown that the fluid slab is always unstable when it carries an electric current which is closed outside the fluid symmetrically at infinity. In particular when the slab has both of its surfaces free the fundamental modes are either symmetric or anti-symmetric about the midplane in the absence of external magnetic field while they are neither symmetric nor antisymmetric in its presence. (auth)

• Research Organization: Tata Inst. of Fundamental Research, Bombay
• NSA Number: NSA-16-000601
• OSTI ID: 4836554
• Journal Information: Arkiv Fysik, Journal Name: Arkiv Fysik Vol. Vol: 19
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CONFIGURATION
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
FLUID FLOW
GRAVITATION
HOMOGENEOUS REACTORS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PHYSICS
PLATES
PRESSURE
STABILITY
SURFACE TENSION
SURFACES
VISCOSITY