An Analysis of Unsteady MHD Fluid Flow in a Vertical Semi-Infinite Plate with Constant Transverve Magnetic Field

Amenya Rogers Omboga, Nyabuto Ronald, Johana Kibet Sigey

Abstract: An MHD stokes free convection of an incompressible electrically conducting fluid flowing on a vertical porous semi-infinite plate has been considered. A uniform magnetic field is applied perpendicularly in the positive y-direction to the flow. An analysis of the effect of the uniform magnetic field, Hartmann and Prandtl numbers on both velocity profiles and temperature distribution are presented. The momentum and energy equations are both coupled and have been simultaneously solved numerically by the central finite difference approximations. The results obtained are discussed and presented both in tabular and graphical form. An increase in Hartmann is found to cause a decrease in velocity profile while an increase in Prandtl leads to a fall in temperature distribution. These results are found to merge with the physical situation of the flow

Keywords: porous, incompressible, free convection