Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2014 / iii / Paper 54 / 1 / b / Solution

Use axisymmetry and $\nabla \cdot \mathbf{B}=0$. Since the purely azimuthal velocity has zero divergence, the ideal magnetohydrodynamic induction equation becomes ${\partial }_t\mathbf{B}=(\mathbf{B}\cdot \nabla )\mathbf{u}-(\mathbf{u}\cdot \nabla )\mathbf{B}$. Differentiation of the cylindrical unit vectors contributes to its azimuthal component, givingThe azimuthal component of the magnetic tension force isThere is no azimuthal pressure or gravitational force and no azimuthal advective acceleration for this motion. Because the poloidal magnetic field is divergence-free,These coupled induction and tension equations describe a torsional Alfvén wave.