MHD
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Physics
| Stands for | Magnetohydrodynamics |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
MHD stands for Magnetohydrodynamics, a physics abbreviation.
Study of electrically conducting fluids, such as plasmas, liquid metals and seawater, moving in magnetic fields. MHD explains solar flares, sunspots, Earth's magnetic dynamo and the behavior of plasma in fusion reactors.
Example: MHD simulations reproduce how twisted magnetic fields release energy in solar flares.
Usage notes
Swedish physicist Hannes Alfvén founded the field and received the 1970 Nobel Prize in Physics; Alfvén waves bear his name. MHD propulsion, which pushes seawater with magnetic fields instead of a propeller, was demonstrated by the Japanese ship Yamato 1 in 1992 and inspired the silent drive in The Hunt for Red October.
Related abbreviations
More physics abbreviations
- KE – Kinetic energy
- laser – Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation
- LHC – Large Hadron Collider
- lidar – Light detection and ranging
- LIGO – Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory
- maser – Microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation
- NA – Avogadro constant
- NIF – National Ignition Facility
- NIR – Near-infrared
- PE – Potential energy
- PMT – Photomultiplier tube
- QCD – Quantum chromodynamics