Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2014 iii Paper 54 1 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Write and . The continuity equation converts a material specific-energy balance into a conservative energy density balance. Dot the ideal magnetohydrodynamic momentum equation with , and use the time independence of the Newtonian gravitational potential:For the energy density associated with internal energy, the adiabatic pressure equation givesThe ideal magnetohydrodynamic induction equation and the cross-product divergence identity give the magnetic energy balanceIndeed . The magnetic work cancels the kinetic magnetic work. The remaining pressure terms are . Adding all three balances proves ideal magnetohydrodynamic energy conservation:whereThe last term is the Poynting vector with the ideal electric field . A time-dependent imposed potential would instead supply the source .