Multipressure Polytropes as Models for the Structure and Stability of Molecular Clouds. I. Theory | Zendy

Christopher F. McKee | Zendy; John H. Holliman | Zendy

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Multipressure Polytropes as Models for the Structure and Stability of Molecular Clouds. I. Theory

Author(s) -

Christopher F. McKee,

John H. Holliman

Publication year - 1999

Publication title -

the astrophysical journal

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 2.376

H-Index - 489

eISSN - 1538-4357

pISSN - 0004-637X

DOI - 10.1086/307613

Subject(s) - polytropic process , superposition principle , physics , classical mechanics , perturbation (astronomy) , mechanics , surface pressure , turbulence , equation of state , isentropic process , entropy (arrow of time) , molecular cloud , thermodynamics , statistical physics , astrophysics , stars , quantum mechanics

Molecular clouds are supported by thermal pressure, magnetic pressure, andturbulent pressure. Each of these can be modeled with a polytropic equation ofstate, so that overall the total pressure is the sum of the individualcomponents. We model the turbulent pressure as being due to a superposition ofAlfven waves. The theory of polytropes is generalized to allow for the flow ofentropy in response to a perturbation, as expected for the entropy associatedwith wave pressure. The equation of state of molecular clouds is "soft", sothat the properties of the clouds are generally governed by the conditions atthe surface. In general, the polytropes are not isentropic, and this permitslarge density and pressure drops to occur between the center and the edge ofthe polytropes, as is observed.Comment: Submitted to ApJ with 10 figure

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