Magnetohydrodynamics: Alfvén Wave Propagation

Transverse wave propagation along magnetic field lines in a conducting plasma. v_A = B/√(μ₀ρ)

Magnetic Field B 1.5 T

Plasma Density ρ 1.0 kg/m³

Amplitude 25 px

Frequency 1.0 Hz

Resistivity η 0.05

Alfvén waves are transverse MHD waves that propagate along magnetic field lines. The restoring force is magnetic tension B²/μ₀. Resistivity causes damping proportional to e^(−ηk²t). Field lines (blue) carry perturbation (yellow) downstream.