\nabla^2 \phi = 4\pi G a^2 \bar\rho\,\delta ~~\mathrm{(Poisson)}.
\end{eqnarray}
Here, $\delta\equiv({\rho-\bar\rho})/{\bar\rho}$ is the density contrast and $\bm{v}$ is the peculiar velocity.
\subsubsection{Problems}
\begin{enumerate}
\item Assume $|\delta| \ll1$ and linearize the equations. Take the divergence of the Euler equation and use the continuity
equation to eliminate $\nabla\cdot\bm{v}$. Using the Poisson equation to eliminate $\phi$, show that
\begin{eqnarray}
\ddot\delta + 2H\dot\delta
- 4\pi G \bar\rho\,\delta - \frac{c_s^2}{a^2}\nabla^2 \delta = 0,
\end{eqnarray}
where $c_s^2=\partial p/\partial\rho$. What physical timescales appear in this equation? When does instability occur?
\item Assume pressureless dark matter ($c_s =0$). In a matter-dominated universe:
$a(t)\propto t^{2/3}, ~~ H =\frac{2}{3t}, ~~ \bar\rho=\frac{1}{6\pi G t^2}.$ Substitute these expressions into the growth equation and show that
\begin{equation}
\ddot\delta + \frac{4}{3t}\dot\delta
- \frac{2}{3t^2}\delta = 0.
\end{equation}
\item Assume a power-law solution $\delta\propto t^n$ and solve for $n$.
Show that the growing mode scales as
\begin{equation}
\delta\propto t^{2/3}\propto a(t).
\end{equation}
\item Why is the growth only linear in $a(t)$ rather than exponential?
Discuss the role of the Hubble drag term.
\item Now include pressure. Fourier-decompose the perturbation: $\delta(\bm{x},t)=\delta_k(t)e^{i\bm{k}\cdot\bm{x}}.$ Show that each mode satisfies
\begin{equation}
\ddot\delta_k + 2H\dot\delta_k
+ \left(\frac{c_s^2 k^2}{a^2}
- 4\pi G \bar\rho\right)\delta_k = 0.
\end{equation}
\item Discuss the behavior in the limits: 1) $k \rightarrow0$ (large scales), 2) large $k$ (small scales). Explain physically when perturbations grow and when they oscillate.
\item Consider a static background ($H=0$). Define the Jeans wavenumber $k_J$ and show that $k_J^2=\frac{4\pi G\bar\rho}{c_s^2}$.
\item Define the Jeans length $\lambda_J =2\pi/k_J$.
Show that the Jeans mass scales as $M_J \sim\frac{c_s^3}{G^{3/2}\bar\rho^{1/2}}.$
\item In an expanding universe, is the Jeans scale constant?
Discuss qualitatively how expansion modifies gravitational instability.
\item Show that instability occurs when the free-fall time $t_{\rm dyn}\sim(G\bar\rho)^{-1/2}$ is shorter than 1) the sound-crossing time and 2) the expansion time $H^{-1}$. Discuss how structure formation can be understood entirely
as a competition between timescales (in the spirit of our first lecture).