Three-dimensional MHD modeling of magnetotail dynamics for different polytropic indices

Details Three-dimensional MHD modeling of magnetotail dynamics for different polytropic indices Three-dimensional MHD modeling of magnetotail dynamics for different polytropic indices

Apr 1992

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992jgr....97.3965h&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 97, no. A4, April 1, 1992, p. 3965-3976. Research supported by DOE and NA

Physics

41

Geomagnetic Tail, Magnetohydrodynamic Waves, Space Plasmas, Three Dimensional Models, Flow Velocity, Magnetohydrodynamic Stability, Polytropic Processes, Satellite Observation

Scientific paper

The paper analyzes the 3D resistive tearing instability in a magnetotail configuration by means of a resistive MHD code for various forms of the energy equation, including ohmic and compressional heating. A complete derivation of the set of MHD equations from a kinetic formalism is presented, with all simplifying assumptions noted. Emphasis is placed on the changes in magnetotail evolution caused by a variation of the assumed value of the polytropic exponent gamma, representing the ratio of specific heat in the energy equation which closes the set of MHD equations. Within the gamma range of 2/3-4, a tearing mode is found to develop in all cases. Certain properties, such as the formation and ejection of a plasmoid, associated with the formation of the reversal region of the north-south component of the magnetic field, and strong earthward and tailward flow fields prevail as qualitative features independent of the value of gamma chosen. Ohmic dissipation is found to be the major source of the heating, while adiabatic or nonadiabatic compression may contribute primarily in the closed field region earthward of the reconnection site.

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