Thermal Instability of Self-Gravitating Partially-Ionized Gaseous Plasma

Abstract

The effect of radiative heat-loss function on the Jeans instability of an infinitely conducting, homogeneous partially ionized gaseous plasma is investigated. It is assumed that the medium is carrying a uniform magnetic field in the presence of porosity and thermal conductivity. With the help of relevant linearized perturbation equations of the problem, a general dispersion relation is obtained for a such medium using the normal analysis technique, which is reduced for both the transverse and the longitudinal mode of propagation. The longitudinal mode is found to be modified by Alfven speed and parameter of porosity. The thermal mode is obtained separately having the effects of thermal conductivity and arbitrary radiative heat-loss functions. The effect of collision with neutrals and magnetic field have a stabilizing effect, while thermal conductivity has destabilizing influence on the Jeans instability of gaseous plasma. In the transverse mode of propagation, we find the condition of radioactive instability depends on thermal conductivity, magnetic field and the porosity of the medium.