The interplay between magnetic fields and convection
Abstract
The development of hydrodynamic dynamo theory is considered, taking into account investigations related to the solar cycle. Before constructing any detailed models of the solar cycle it is necessary to understand both the kinematic effect of convection on the magnetic field and the dynamical effect of the distorted field on the motion. The effect of a convective eddy on the magnetic field can be explored by studying an isolated sphere or cylinder rotating as a solid body in an otherwise uniform field. It is shown that reconnection of the lines of force leads to flux expulsion. A summary is provided of the relevant aspects of magnetoconvection, and a description is presented of some new results, obtained from numerical experiments at fairly high Rayleigh numbers. The computations illustrate the complexity of the nonlinear interaction between magnetic fields and convection.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Geophysical Research
- Pub Date:
- December 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1029/JB086iB12p11689
- Bibcode:
- 1981JGR....8611689W
- Keywords:
-
- Convective Flow;
- Dynamo Theory;
- Geophysics;
- Magnetic Effects;
- Magnetohydrodynamics;
- Conducting Fluids;
- Lines Of Force;
- Magnetic Field Configurations;
- Rayleigh Number;
- Rotating Spheres;
- MAGNETIC FIELDS;
- CONVECTION;
- THEORY