MHD, acronym for Magnetohydrodynamics, refers to a branch of physics and engineering that combines principles of electromagnetism and fluid dynamics to study the behavior of electrically conducting fluids in the presence of magnetic fields.
In magnetohydrodynamics, the fluid under investigation can be either a liquid metal or a plasma, both of which are capable of carrying electric currents. The behavior of these conducting materials is examined in a macroscopic manner, considering them as continuous media, rather than focusing on individual particles or atoms.
The interaction between the electric currents and magnetic fields plays a fundamental role in MHD. As the fluid flows and conducts electricity, it generates magnetic fields which, in turn, can affect the fluid flow. Thus, MHD encompasses the study of electrical currents induced by the motion of conducting fluids, as well as the forces and the energy transfer occurring in the system. This discipline finds applications in various fields, such as astrophysics (for understanding solar flares, for instance), engineering (such as designing efficient nuclear fusion systems or magnetohydrodynamic generators), and geophysics (for analyzing the Earth's magnetic field and magnetosphere).
Overall, MHD provides a theoretical framework for investigating and predicting the behaviors of conducting fluids in the presence of magnetic fields, with applications extending across different domains.
