The decay of perturbations in an electrically conducting and thermally radiating gas

Abstract

The decay of perturbations in an infinite, thermally radiating gas of perfect electrical conductivity in the presence of magnetic field is studied. Complete solutions for the decay of initial sinusoidal perturbations in the temperature, gas velocity and pressure are determined. The sinusoidal perturbations are superposed to yield solutions for the decay of initial ‘step’ temperature profiles consisting of a constant initial temperature perturbation inside a finite planar region, with zero temperature perturbation outside. For a broad range of small and intermediate Boltzmann numbers the cooling proceeds in time from being a constant-density cooling process to being a constant-pressure cooling process. The magnetic field causes slower temperature decay with time and makes the temperature perturbations tend to attain constant-pressure cooling values. It quickens the decay of velocity and pressure perturbations and thus the transition from a constant-density to a constant-pressure cooling process is hastened. This transition is produced by the magneto-acoustic waves generated near the profile edges by the radiative cooling.