The effect of a magnetic field on Stokes flow in a conducting fluid

Abstract

Low Reynolds number flow of a conducting fluid past a sphere is considered. The classical Stokes solution is modified by a magnetic field which, at infinity, is uniform and in the direction of flow of the fluid. The formula for the drag is found to be $D = D_S \{ 1+\frac{3}{8}M+\frac{7}{960}M^2-\frac{43}{7680}M^3+O(M^4) \},$ Where D S is the Stokes drag and M is the Hartmann number.