Gravitational instability of partially-ionized plasma in an oblique magnetic field

Abstract

The effects of Hall currents, finite conductivity, and collision with neutrals have been studied on the gravitational instability of a partially-ionized plasma. It is assumed that plasma is permeated by an oblique magnetic field. The dispersion relation has been obtained and numerical calculations have been performed to obtain the dependence of the growth rate of the gravitationally unstable mode on the various physical parameters involved. It is found that Jeans's criterion remains unchanged in the presence of Hall currents, finite conductivity, and collisions. The Hall currents, finite conductivity, and collisions have destabilizing influence on the unstable mode of wave propagation of a gravitational instability of partially-ionized plasma.