A2.5
Part II, 2002
(i) Show that the Lorentz force corresponds to a curvature force and the gradient of a magnetic pressure, and that it can be written as the divergence of a second rank tensor, the Maxwell stress tensor.
Consider the potential field given by , where
referred to cartesian coordinates . Obtain the Maxwell stress tensor and verify that its divergence vanishes.
(ii) The magnetic field in a stellar atmosphere is maintained by steady currents and the Lorentz force vanishes. Show that there is a scalar field such that and . Show further that if is constant, then . Obtain a solution in the form ; describe the structure of this field and sketch its variation in the -direction.