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Shock-wave struture in a partially ionized gas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2006

M. S. Grewal
Affiliation:
Division of Aeronautical Sciences, University of California, Berkeley Now at Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California.
L. Talbot
Affiliation:
Division of Aeronautical Sciences, University of California, Berkeley

Abstract

The structure of a shock wave in a partially ionized gas, which may be in thermal non-equilibrium ahead of the shock wave, is investigated. A method is developed to solve this problem by separating it into two parts. First, the structure of the shock wave associated with the massive particles, ions and atoms, is assumed to be of the Mott-Smith form. Then the behaviour of the electrons as they pass though this shock is analysed. Using this method, calculations are carried out for shock waves at several Mach numbers and several values of the electron-ion temperature ratio ahead of the shock. An essential feature of the shock profiles is found to be the existence of a broad zone of elevated electron temperature ahead of the electron compression region, caused by the high thermal conductivity in the electron gas.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1963 Cambridge University Press

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