Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2003 / iii / Paper 65 / 1 / iii / Solution

Let $b=\frac{1}{2}{u}^2+\Phi +w$. Because the specific entropy is constant along the horizontal flow, the specific enthalpy identity gives $\mathbf{u}\cdot \nabla w={\rho }^{-1}\mathbf{u}\cdot \nabla p$. Dotting the ideal magnetohydrodynamic momentum equation with $\mathbf{u}$ therefore givesOn the field-aligned horizontal branch, $\mathbf{u}\times \mathbf{B}=U{\mathbf{e}}_z\times \mathbf{B}$. Directly evaluating the horizontal components of the curl givesThe scalar triple-product identity consequently makes the magnetic work $U{\mathbf{B}}_h\cdot \nabla B_z/{\mu }_0$. Meanwhile $\rho \mathbf{u}\cdot \nabla b=k{\mathbf{B}}_h\cdot \nabla b$. The previously established field-line constancy of $U,k$ now gives the planar ideal-MHD Bernoulli invariantThis is conservation of total energy transported along a magnetic field line, including electromagnetic work. To see its flux interpretation, the ideal magnetohydrodynamic energy conservation law has fluxThe second term is the Poynting vector, since $\mathbf{E}=-\mathbf{u}\times \mathbf{B}$. Substitution of $\mathbf{u}=k\mathbf{B}/\rho +U{\mathbf{e}}_z$ givesThe steady divergence of this horizontal energy flux is zero. Magnetic stress can change the ordinary hydrodynamic quantity $b$ in the Bernoulli equation by doing work; the term $-U{B}_z/({\mu }_{0}k)$ accounts for the accompanying Poynting flux. When $U=0$, the velocity is completely field-aligned, $\mathbf{E}=0$, and the usual hydrodynamic Bernoulli quantity is constant. These conclusions require the field-aligned branch and $k\ne 0$; the arbitrary constant-$E_z$ flow from the first part is not covered by this particular invariant.