Abstract
A theory of magnetohydrodynamic piston-driven disturbances in a thermally-conducting medium is presented, based on a phenomenological model which admits self-similar solutions. The motion consists of a thermal precursor followed by an isothermal shock. The magnetic field plays a fundamental role; even a very modest transverse magnetic field keeps the peak densities down, blocks the heat flow, and widens the perturbed domain. This, together with a decrease (increase) of post shock density (temperature) compares favorably with some measurements in the solar wind.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 559-566 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Physics of Fluids |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1978 |