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Rayleigh-Taylor Instability of a Viscous Electrically Conducting Fluid in the Presence of a Horizontal Magnetic Field

Journal Article · · Journal of the Physical Society of Japan
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1143/JPSJ.18.1073· OSTI ID:4653364
The initial manner of development of an infinitesimal disturbance of a plane horizontal layer of a viscous, perfectly conducting, incompressible fluid of variable density in the presence of a horizontal magnetic field is discussed. It is found that when the coefficient of viscosity muo be such that d2 nu o/dz2 < 0, instability might arise in the form of oscillation with increasing amplitude i.e., overstability. This shows that contrary to the usual role of viscosity as a damping factor, it may sometimes act as a destabilizing agent. Furthermore, it is seen that a sufficiently strong magnetic field may stabilize a potentially unstable configuration.
Research Organization:
Indian Inst. of Tech., Kharagpur, India
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-17-034587
OSTI ID:
4653364
Journal Information:
Journal of the Physical Society of Japan, Journal Name: Journal of the Physical Society of Japan Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 18; ISSN 0031-9015
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English