The effect of the simultaneous action of a uniform magnetic field and a uniform angular velocity on the linear stability of the Bénard layer to time-dependent convective motions is examined in the Boussinesq approximation. Four models, characterized by the relative directions of the magnetic field, angular velocity and gravitational force, are discussed under a variety of boundary conditions. Apart from a few cases, the treatment applies when the Taylor number T and the Chandrasekhar number Q (the square of the Hartmann number) are large. (These parameters are dimensionless measures of angular velocity and magnetic field, respectively.)

It is shown that the motions at the onset of instability can be of three types. If the Coriolis forces dominate the Lorentz forces, the results for the rotating non-magnetic case are retained to leading order. If the Coriolis and Lorentz forces are comparable, the minimum temperature gradient required for instability is greatly reduced. Also, in this case, the motions that ensue at marginal stability are necessarily three-dimensional and the Taylor-Proudman theorem and its analogue in hydromagnetics are no longer valid. When the Lorentz forces dominate the Coriolis forces, the results obtained are similar to those for the magnetic non-rotating case at leading order.

The most unstable mode is identified for all relations T = KQα, where K and α are positive constants, taking into account both time-dependent and time-independent motions

Various types of boundary layers developing on different boundaries are also examined.