Hierarchical Merging and the Intracluster Medium

GT Hierarchical merging implies that clusters are assembled by the merger of smaller systems however the effect of the merger process on clusters and their galaxies is still poorly understood. We propose to use the EPICspectral imagers to map the state of the intracluster medium in a sampleconsisting of the brightest merging clusters in the redshift range which is optimum for XMM. These systems cover a range of merger stages, and of massratios between the merging components. This will enable us to explore thedevelopment of shock heating, cooling flow disruption, gas mixing and galaxystripping through the merger process. Such a study is essential if we are tobe able to model the evolution of clusters, and of the galaxies within them. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]