Hydromagnetic instability of a gravitating finite resistive fluid layer sandwiched in a different fluid

The hydromagnetic instability analysis is made of a gravitating finite resistive fluid layer sandwiched in a nonconducting infinite fluid of different densities. A general eigenvalue relation valid for all perturbations is derived on the basis of a normal mode type technique. The conditions for stability and instability states are determined. Some results obtained by earlier authors are also derived as special cases of the present analysis.