Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)
Graduate course, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 2025
Magnetohydrodynamics combines fluid dynamics and electrodynamics to describe the large-scale behaviour of conducting fluids and plasmas. This graduate course develops the theoretical foundation of MHD and connects it to applications in planetary magnetospheres, solar and astrophysical plasmas, space weather, and fusion research.
Learning goals
- Derive and interpret the ideal MHD equations and their conservation laws
- Assess when an MHD description is physically appropriate
- Analyse MHD waves, discontinuities, shocks, equilibria, and instabilities
- Understand magnetic reconnection and plasma-energy conversion
- Connect analytical theory to numerical modelling and observations
Topics
- Electrodynamics and fluid dynamics foundations
- Single-fluid and multi-fluid formulations
- MHD equilibrium and the Grad-Shafranov equation
- Alfvén, slow, and fast magnetosonic waves
- Kelvin-Helmholtz, interchange, ballooning, and magnetorotational instabilities
- Discontinuities, shocks, and Rankine-Hugoniot relations
- Magnetic reconnection and plasma turbulence
- Numerical implementation and space-plasma applications
Current schedules, reading lists, and assessment details are provided to enrolled students through HKU’s learning platform.