Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 iii Paper 321 3 d Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
Treat as a signed small parameter, with , as printed in the original PDF. At , the dispersion relation factors asThus the two epicyclic motion modes have , while the thermal energy mode of a shearing sheet hasIt decays on the thermal diffusion time . For completeness, its next correction is at fixed .
For either epicyclic motion root, the implicit function theorem applied to the dispersion relation givesHenceSince , the oscillations undergo overstability precisely whenThe convective overstability growth rate tends to zero both for very slow diffusion and for very fast diffusion. Differentiating shows that its maximum occurs at , corresponding to . ThereforeThis is the growth rate of the perturbation amplitude; a quadratic perturbation energy grows at twice that rate. The convective overstability arises when an adverse radial specific entropy gradient couples to epicyclic motion with a finite thermal conduction lag.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2019 iii Paper 314 1 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
Let be the material derivative, and write for specific enthalpy. The ideal magnetohydrodynamic induction equation and Gauss's law for magnetism giveDotting the momentum equation with eliminates the Lorentz force density. Therefore the cross-helicity density satisfiesThe first law of thermodynamics gives for specific entropy , without requiring uniform entropy. ConsequentlySince , the first term on the right is a divergence. This proves the cross-helicity conservation law, with fluxFor the perfect gas used here, .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2019 iii Paper 314 1 b Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
The calculation in part (a) leaves the cross-helicity conservation law sourceAt positive temperature, this vanishes exactly when the magnetic field is tangent to constant-specific entropy surfaces: . A homentropic flow is a sufficient special case; uniform entropy throughout space is not necessary. Mere advection of specific entropy, , constrains its variation along the velocity rather than along the magnetic field, so it does not by itself eliminate this source. To conserve total cross-helicity in a volume, the net boundary flux must also vanish.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2019 iii Paper 314 1 c Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
For uniform specific entropy, the material conservation of cross-helicity density criterion isThus the requested condition isIn the steady state, mass conservation gives . An equivalent form, expressed entirely in the flow and thermodynamic variables, isIf “isentropic” means only constant specific entropy along individual trajectories, rather than a homentropic flow, the general criterion instead retains on the right-hand side of the material derivative equation. The distinction matters because a source-free cross-helicity conservation law need not make constant along each trajectory.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2019 iii Paper 314 2 e Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
For equal weak shocks, , henceAdding the individual increases in specific entropy gives the entropy production in successive weak shocksBy contrast, a single normal shock wave with the same total pressure ratio givesThus a single strong shock produces more entropy than the chain of sufficiently small weak shocks. At fixed , the chain approaches zero entropy production as , while the single-shock result stays positive. The gradual compression approaches reversible isentropic flow.
Polytropic constant 2026-10-20
The coefficient in a polytropic equation of state . It is spatially constant for one simple polytrope, but need not stay constant between different equilibrium models. For a fixed-composition ideal gas with equal to its adiabatic index, parametrizes specific entropy: with a suitable dimensional reference inside the logarithm.
Radial buoyancy frequency Created 2026-10-06 Updated 2026-10-18
The radial buoyancy frequency describes restoration of a radially displaced parcel in a stratified astrophysical disk. With a dimensionless specific entropy , its square is proportional to . Negative means an adverse entropy stratification, but epicyclic motion can still stabilize the parcel. For smooth thin disk profiles, is usually of order .
Radiative shock 2026-10-20
A shock wave with significant radiation losses in its downstream evolution. Often a narrow dissipative jump initially heats the gas according to adiabatic Rankine-Hugoniot conditions, followed by a much longer radiative cooling layer. The gas's specific entropy increases at the jump and may then fall as radiation carries entropy away. If both distant states have equal temperature, the combined mass and momentum balances give an isothermal shock; the gas's energy flux is not conserved across the whole radiating region.
Self-similar ideal-gas rarefaction 2026-10-14
For and positive mass density and pressure, let in one-dimensional adiabatic compressible flow. The smooth equations are , and . Away from a constant branch, their coefficient determinant forces with and adiabatic sound speed . The entropy equation gives , and combining continuity with givesThus , , and , on intervals where . The specific entropy is constant. Together with uniform branches, these exhaust smooth positive-gas self-similar solutions; a contact discontinuity is not a smooth fan.
Two positive uniform ideal-gas states can be joined by one nontrivial rarefaction wave precisely when their specific entropy agrees, , and for one they satisfy with . These equations are the constant-entropy and Riemann invariant conditions of the self-similar ideal-gas rarefaction. They are sufficient because its affine profiles match the two states at and , and . The left family has , while the right family has . The inequality alone does not impose the two matching equalities.
Specific enthalpy Created 2026-09-25 Updated 2026-10-06
Specific enthalpy is enthalpy per unit mass. For a simple compressible fluid of fixed composition, the first law of thermodynamics giveswhere is temperature, is specific entropy, is pressure, and is mass density. Along an isentropic flow, . For a perfect gas with constant specific-heat ratio , .
Thermoelasticity 2026-10-14
Thermoelasticity couples elasticity and temperature through a specific Helmholtz free energy . Without constraints its reversible laws are and . Mixed derivatives give the same coupling tensor in the thermal stress response and the strain dependence of specific entropy, with opposite signs.
Thermoelasticity with a temperature-dependent constraint Created 2026-10-14 Updated 2026-10-20
The admissible rates obey . A reaction multiplier in the reversible nominal stress tensor therefore has an accompanying specific entropy contribution:Their reaction contributions cancel in the Clausius-Duhem inequality on admissible rates. Omitting the entropy term would generally violate the constraint's power balance.
Two-fluid model of superfluidity 2026-10-18
The two-fluid model of superfluidity gives the normal component of a superfluid and the superfluid independent velocities.
An elementary uniform-flow example makes the distinction operational. Write the mass flux per unit area and the ideal entropy flux asHere is specific entropy, in , and are response mass densities. The mass density used here gives the three-dimensional phase stiffness coefficient when is substituted into the kinetic energy density . For a stipulated , and along a channel, zero net mass flux requires . Yet is positive. Opposing velocities can therefore transport entropy while transporting no net mass.
This example explains why excellent apparent heat transport need not be ordinary diffusion of heat through a stationary liquid. In the ideal zero-net-mass-flux limit, the heat flux associated with this entropy transport is . Viscous losses, quantum vortices and external heat exchange require additional terms. The model also supports second sound.
Uniform-density stellar oscillation 2026-10-06
A constant-density gas sphere in hydrostatic equilibrium has and . Its stellar oscillations can be expanded using regular solid harmonics and radial displacement amplitudes. Uniform density does not imply uniform specific entropy, so this equilibrium can be radially stable and still exhibit convective instability.