Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2006 iii Paper 74 1 iii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
There is a minor operator misprint to resolve first. Interpreting as composition, the Cartesian formula for the angular Laplacian isThe last term is missing from the printed Cartesian expression. For example, its truncated expression maps to , whereas a degree-one spherical harmonic must have angular eigenvalue two. In what follows, use the stated angular spectrum and the supplied poloidal-energy identity; these are consistent with the corrected operator.
The divergence theorem and the solenoidal magnetic-field constraint imply zero magnetic flux through every sphere. Consequently has zero angular mean and no component. Expand in orthonormal spherical harmonics:By angular orthogonality, withthe gradient norm and the supplied poloidal-toroidal decomposition identity becomeSince , this proves the poloidal magnetic energy bound by the radial scalar gradient:Equality holds when the radial scalar contains only degree-one angular components.
Define the poloidal and total magnetic energies by and . Combining the radial-flow dynamo energy bound with gives the necessary conditionIt has the same temporal interpretation as the bound in the preceding part; statistically steady versions use the corresponding time-averaged energies. It quantifies why dynamo action with a substantial poloidal fraction requires radial motion, while a purely tangential flow has .