Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 iii Paper 314 1 a Solution 2026-09-25
In a magnetostatic equilibrium, inertia is absent and all forces balance. A force-free magnetic field is the limiting case in which the Lorentz force density vanishes:Thus the current density is parallel to the magnetic field, so for some scalar force-free parameter ,Using Ampère's law in magnetostatics givesTaking the divergence and using both the divergence of a curl is zero and yieldssoThe force-free parameter is therefore constant along every magnetic field line.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 iii Paper 314 1 d Solution 2026-09-25
At , the indicial equation has the multiple root . The general axial component isSince , the azimuthal component isConsequentlyas ; the same ratio is identically one when . A magnetic field line has tangent parallel to , so its asymptotic angle with the -axis satisfiesHence the field lines become helices making the constant anglewith the axis.