PHYSICS SEMINAR
Wednesday,
October 24, 2001
Willet Science Center 109
(Overflow to WSC 101, if necessary...)
“Introduction
to Dynamo Theory”
Abstract: The magnetic field of celestial bodies such as the Earth have been a source of mystery for some time. The interior of the Earth, for instance, is far above the Curie temperature at which ferromagnetism becomes impossible. So just how is it that the Earth maintains its magnetic field? In 1919 Joseph Larmor posed the question as to whether it would be possible for a body of conducting fluid to maintain a magnetic field indefinitely purely through fluid motions taking place in its interior. From his question arose the field known as Dynamo Theory - a branch of magnetohydrodynamics that investigates the behavior of a viscous, incompressible, electrically and thermally conducting fluid within a rotating frame. A general introduction to Dynamo Theory will be provided during which the relevant equations will be derived. Also, we will discuss existence and uniqueness of solutions as well as possibilities for future research.
Please
join us for light refreshments at 4:15.