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Magnetohydrodynamics, or MHD, is a theoretical way of describing the statics and dynamics of electrically conducting uids. The most important of these uids occurring in both nature and the laboratory are ionized gases, called plasmas. These have the simultaneous properties of conducting electricity and being electrically charge neutral on almost all length scales. The study of these gases is called plasma physics. MHD is the poor cousin of plasma physics. It is the simplest theory of plasma dynamics. In most introductory courses, it is usually afforded a short chapter or lecture at most: Alfven ´ waves, the kink mode, and that is it. (Now, on to Landau damping!) In advanced plasma courses, such as those dealing with waves or kinetic theory, it is given an even more cursory treatment, a brief mention on the way to things more profound and interesting. (It is just MHD! Besides, real plasma phy- cists do kinetic theory!) Nonetheless, MHD is an indispensable tool in all applications of plasma physics.
List of contents
I. About this book.- II. Preface.- III. Lectures 1-38.- IV. Bibliography.- Index.- V. Appendix: Extended MHD.
Summary
Magnetohydrodynamics, or MHD, is a theoretical way of describing the statics and dynamics of electrically conducting uids. The most important of these uids occurring in both nature and the laboratory are ionized gases, called plasmas. These have the simultaneous properties of conducting electricity and being electrically charge neutral on almost all length scales. The study of these gases is called plasma physics. MHD is the poor cousin of plasma physics. It is the simplest theory of plasma dynamics. In most introductory courses, it is usually afforded a short chapter or lecture at most: Alfven ´ waves, the kink mode, and that is it. (Now, on to Landau damping!) In advanced plasma courses, such as those dealing with waves or kinetic theory, it is given an even more cursory treatment, a brief mention on the way to things more profound and interesting. (It is just MHD! Besides, real plasma phy- cists do kinetic theory!) Nonetheless, MHD is an indispensable tool in all applications of plasma physics.
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From the reviews:
“The present book … is a set of lectures taught by the author at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. … the monograph is extremely pleasant to read, examples are well chosen and illuminating, and the ultimate aim of interesting students in the field of MHD will most likely be successful.” (Manuel Núñez Jiménez, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2011 j)
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From the reviews:
"The present book ... is a set of lectures taught by the author at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. ... the monograph is extremely pleasant to read, examples are well chosen and illuminating, and the ultimate aim of interesting students in the field of MHD will most likely be successful." (Manuel Núñez Jiménez, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2011 j)
