This work uses X-ray and radio data to examine the interaction between radio-loud AGN and their environments. The first half of this work concentrates on how a cluster environment influences the morphology of wide-angle tailed radio sources (WATs). It is found that existing models of WAT formation are unable to explain the phenomenon in light of the data. It is argued that the cluster environment is responsible for determining the location of the plume base, and that conditions inside the plume determine the jet flaring. WATs with very bent jets are discussed in light of jet speeds inferred from a homogenous sample of WATs, and it appears that highly disturbed cluster environments are required for such bending. The second half of this thesis concentrates on whether radio sources can prevent catastrophic cooling. It is found that whilst there are some differences between groups with radio loud brightest galaxies and those without, it is unlikely that radio sources irreversibly raise the entropy in g,TOUp centres. Rather, it appears that current radio sources act to prevent catastrophic cooling in the centres of groups, whilst repeated outbursts may have a longer lasting effect, particularly if the physical size of the outburst is large.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:434700 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Jetha, Nazirah Naushadali |
| Publisher | University of Birmingham |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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