Solar Terrestrial Relations
Homework 3 Due Oct 30, 2025
1. Equations of state:
Show that the adiabatic equation of state
pV γ = const
can be written in the following forms
γ γ−1
p n T n 1 1 dT 1 dn
= ; = ; =
p0 n0 T0 n0 γ − 1 T dt n dt
Use definition of density n = N/V and assume that the number of particles N is constant
2. Magnetic diffusion:
(a) Derive estimate for diffusion time scale τ as function of Reynolds number
(Rm = vL/η), characteristic length scale L and speed v. Start by solving the
diffusion equation assuming that the time dependence is exponential decay with a
time scale of τ (B(r, t) = B(r)et/τ ).
(b) Magnetospheric flow bursts have spatial scales of a few RE and flow speeds of a few
100 km/s. Assuming the plasma Reynolds number is about 106 , is diffusion
important for the dynamic processes?
3. MHD wave modes:
(a) Define phase speed and group speed.
(b) Use the equation of state to derive a relationship between ∇p to ∇ρ. Show that the
factor has unit of speed, and can thus be used to define the sound speed.
4. Dispersion equation:
The dispersion equation gives the relation between oscillation frequency w and wave
number k. The full dispersion function is given by the equation below.
−ω 2 v + (c2s + vA
2
)(k · v)k − (k · vA ) [(vA · v)k − (vA · k)v + (k · v)vA ] = 0
Write the dispersion equation for special cases where
(a) k is along B and k and v are parallel: k ∥ v → k · v = kv
(b) k is along B and k and v are perpendicular: k ⊥ v → k · v = 0
(c) k and vA are perpendicular: k ⊥ vA → k · vA = 0
Name the corresponding wave modes.
5. Shocks and discontinuities
(a) Explain qualitatively how the plasma properties downstream of a shock or
discontinuity can be determined if the upstream conditions are known.
(b) A tangential discontinuity has no flow normal to the boundary (flow only along the
discontinuity surface). Use the Rankine-Hugoniot equations to show that the total
pressure (plasma pressure p + magnetic pressure B 2 /2µ0 ) is constant across the
boundary.
(c) Consider a rotational discontinuity (unchanged flow speed normal to the boundary
vun = vdn = vn ̸= 0). Write the [] notation as difference between upstream and
downstream conditions to show that RH3 equation can be rewritten in the form
[vt Bn − vn Bt ] = 0 → Bn [vt ] − vn [Bt ] = 0
(d) Assume the following values to calculate the downstream tangential velocity for a
rotational discontinuity. Draw the upstream and downstream tangential magnetic
field and velocity vectors in the yz-plane.
But = 10nT ẑ; Bdt = 6nT ŷ + 8nT ẑ; Bn = 10nTx̂
vut = −100km/s ŷ + 200km/s ẑ; vn = 100km/sx̂
6. Recognize MHD discontinuities
Assume an MHD discontinuity in the solar wind passes over a spacecraft as it moves away
from the Sun. The table below gives solar wind data taken immediately before and after
the passage of the discontinuity. Identify the discontinuity and sketch its orientation.
Orientation is given in the (R, T, N ) coordinate system (R = radial component, T =
tangential component in the ΩSun × R direction and N completes the right-handed
coordinate system). Assume pressure is isotropic and that the normal to the
discontinuities lies in the (R, T ) plane.
Hint: choose one of the following: fast shock, slow shock, tangential, contact, or
rotational discontinuity.
Before After
n [cm−3 ] 10 5
vR [km/s] 400 500
vT [km/s] 41 0
vN [km/s] 0 0
BR [nT] 5 3
BT [nT] 3 -1
BN [nT] 0 0
T [105 K] 2 0.5
Extra Homework
1. Distribution function:
Consider a one-dimensional distribution function
(v − u)2 −2
f (v) = a[1 + ]
w2
where a, u, and w are constants.
(a) Make a sketch of f (v) using multiple values of a, u, and w and indicate their
meaning for the distribution.
(b) Calculate the number density, bulk flow speed, and pressure assuming particle mass
m.
2. Derive linearized MHD equations:
Derive linearized continuity, momentum, and energy equations starting from MHD
equations.
• Continuity equation
∂ρ
= −∇ · (ρv)
∂t
∂ρ1
→ = −ρ0 ∇ · v
∂t
• Momentum equation
∂v
ρ + ρ(v · ∇)v = −∇p + j × B
∂t
∂v 1
→ ρ0 = −c2s ∇ρ1 + (∇ × B1 ) × B0
∂t µ0
• Energy equation
d p
=0
dt ργ
∂p1
→ + (v · ∇)p0 + γp0 (∇ · v) = 0
∂t
Hint: Assume constant uniform background density ρ0 and uniform background
magnetic field B0 and write variables as small perturbations around constant values.
Keep only terms up to first order. Use the equation of state to derive relationship
between ∇p and ∇ρ. Use Ampere’s law to express current in terms of magnetic field.
Note that total time derivative is written as d/dt = ∂/∂t + v · ∇.
3. Derive Rankine-Hugoniot relations:
Use ideal MHD equations in conservative form, Maxwell’s equations, and Ohm’s law for
ideal MHD to derive the jump conditions known as the 6 Rankine-Hugoniot relations.