Mass and particle 'loading' in plasma-neutral gas interaction (Q1078049)

Qualitative considerations of mass and particle 'loading' in plasma- neutral gas interaction are made by the help of a one-dimensional steady model. In the case of particle 'loading' the plasma flow behind a strong shock is accelerated whereas behind a weak shock the flow is decelerated. As an example, one-dimensional time-dependent flows with ionization of the neutral gas by Alfvén's critical velocity effect are calculated. Because of the acceleration of the subsonic flow by ''loading' processes, the existence of a tangential discontinuity in the flow around comets seems questionable.