Magnetic Prandtl number
The Magnetic Prandtl number (Prm) is a dimensionless quantity occurring in magnetohydrodynamics which approximates the ratio of momentum diffusivity (viscosity) and magnetic diffusivity. It is defined as:
where:
- Rem is the magnetic Reynolds number
- Re is the Reynolds number
- ν is the momentum diffusivity (kinematic viscosity)
- η is the magnetic diffusivity
At the base of the Sun's convection zone the Magnetic Prandtl number is approximately 10−2, and in the interiors of planets and in liquid-metal laboratory dynamos is approximately 10−5.
As another example, a magnetic Prandtl number of order unity is a widely accepted value for the thin accretion discs. Nevertheless this complicates the problem of launching jets: strong concentrations of magnetic field are required at the inner regions of the disc in order to launch jets, but a magnetic Prandtl number of order unity causes the field to diffuse away faster than it accretes inward.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ Lovelace, R. V. E.; Romanova, M. M.; Newman, W. I. "Implosive accretion and outbursts of active galactic nuclei". Astrophysical Journal. 437: 136. Bibcode:1994ApJ...437..136L. doi:10.1086/174981.
- Critical Magnetic Prandtl Number for Small Scale Dynamo, Schekochihin, A.A., et al. 2004, Physical Review Letters, 92, 5