Abstract
A theory for the interaction of a neutral gas with a moving magnetized plasma is given. The Alfvén expression for the critical velocity is identified with that for the terminal velocity while another expression for the threshold velocity for interaction is given. The implications of these results to the Alfvén-Arrhenius model for the solar system are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alfvén, H.: 1954,On the Origin of the Solar System, Oxford Univ. Press, London.
Alfvén, H.: 1960,Rev. Mod. Phys. 32, 710.
Alfvén, H. and Arrhenius, G.: 1970a,Astrophys. Space Sci. 8, 338.
Alfvén, H. and Arrhenius, G.: 1970b,Astrophys. Space Sci. 9, 3.
Alfvén, H. and Arrhenius, G.: 1973,Astrophys. Space Sci. 21, 117.
Alfvén, H. and Arrhenius, G.: 1974,Astrophys. Space Sci. 29, 63.
Danielsson, L.: 1970,Phys. Fluids 13, 2288.
Danielsson, L.: 1973,Astrophys. Space Sci. 24, 459.
Danielsson, L. and Brenning, N.: 1975,Phys. Fluids 18, 661.
Longmire, C. L.: 1963,Elementary Plasma Physics, Interscience Publishers, New York.
Varma, R. K.: 1977,J. Plasma Phys. (to be published).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Paper dedicated to Professor Hannes Alfvén on the occasion of his 70th birthday, 30 May, 1978.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Varma, R.K. On Alfvén's critical velocity for the interaction of a neutral gas with a moving magnetized plasma. Astrophys Space Sci 55, 113–124 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00642583
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00642583