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For the theta pinch, the electric current is azimuthal:Its Lorentz force is ${\mathbf{j}}_0\times {\mathbf{B}}_0/c=-B_0{B}_0^{\prime }\hat{\mathbf{r}}/(4\pi )$. Static radial balance with the pressure gradient therefore givesThe constant is the equilibrium magnetohydrodynamic total pressure.

A theta pinch is a cylindrical plasma configuration with axial magnetic field and azimuthal electric current. For a static equilibrium without gravity, the radial Lorentz force gives $d[p+B^2/(8\pi )]/dr=0$ in Gaussian units. This straight-field configuration has no field-line curvature drive of the usual interchange instability.