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 gives
The ideal magnetohydrodynamic induction equation and the cross-product divergence identity give the magnetic energy balance
Indeed . The magnetic work cancels the kinetic magnetic work. The remaining pressure terms are . Adding all three balances proves ideal magnetohydrodynamic energy conservation:
where
The last term is the Poynting vector with the ideal electric field . A time-dependent imposed potential would instead supply the source .