Rayleigh Taylor Problem in Magnetohydrodynamics through Porous Medium

Abstract

Two semi-infinite incompressible fluids of equal kinematic and magnetic viscosities but differing density ρ1,
ρ2 lies at rest in a uniform gravitational field perpendicular to the plane interface between them. A uniform horizontal
magnetic field pervades the system. The growth rate ‘n’ of the Rayleigh Taylor instability develop when the denser fluid
(ρ1) overlies the lighter fluid (ρ2) is deduced as a function of the horizontal wave number. The problem has been analyzed
through normal mode technique and solved numerically. The results are shown graphically. It has been found that the
viscosity and permeability of porous medium have stabilizing influence. Several researchers have studied the effects of
permeability of the porous medium on the different instability problems in view of the importance of such studies in rocks
and heavy oil recovery. The physical properties of the comets, meteorites and inter planetary dust strongly the
significance of the effects of porosity in astrophysical context.