Acoustic Wave Propagation in Mercury in Constant External Magnetic Field

The paper gives a theoretical analysis of the effect of an external constant magnetic field on the propagation of ultrasonic waves in electrically conducting liquids as well as the results of measurements carried out in mercury. The theoretical part is based on Euler's equation, the equation of continuity, the thermodynamical equation, and Maxwell,s equations. In the experimental part we propose and apply two methods for the measurement of the ultrasonic propagation velocity and its variations, as well as a pulse method perfected by the use of analog memory for the determination of the amplitude absorption coefficient. The correctness of the theoretical basis underlying the calculation of the small changes in propagation velocity induced by the magnetic field is confirmed by experiment. The amplitude absorption coefficient determined experimentally is considerably greater than that calculated theoretically for the medium studied.