# Making Faranoff-Riley I radio sources II. The effects of jet magnetization

## TL;DR

This study uses 3D MHD simulations to explore how magnetic fields influence the shape and evolution of low-power radio jets, revealing magnetization-dependent behaviors and structures similar to observed WAT sources.

## Contribution

It provides new insights into the role of jet magnetization in shaping low-power radio source morphologies through detailed 3D MHD simulations.

## Key findings

- Low magnetization jets are more collimated initially.
- Higher magnetization causes nonaxisymmetric modes and energy release.
- Formation of warm-spot-like structures in high magnetization jets.

## Abstract

Radio sources of low power are the most common in the universe. Their jets typically move at nonrelativistic velocity and show plume-like morphologies that in many instances appear distorted and bent. We investigate the role of magnetic field on the propagation and evolution of low-power jets and the connection between the field intensity and the resulting morphology. The problem is addressed by means of three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. We consider supersonic jets that propagate in a stratified medium. The ambient temperature increases with distance from the jet origin maintaining constant pressure. Jets with low magnetization show an enhanced collimation at small distances with respect to hydrodynamic (HD) cases studied in a previous paper. These jets eventually evolve in a way similar to the HD cases. Jets with higher magnetization are affected by strong nonaxisymmetric modes that lead to the sudden jet energy release. From there on, distorted plumes of jet material move at subsonic velocities. This transition is associated with the formation of structures reminiscent of the `warm spots' observed in wide-angle-tail (WAT) sources.