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Real-gas effects in very weak shock waves in the atmosphere and the structure of sonic bangs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 March 2006

J. P. Hodgson
Affiliation:
Department of the Mechanics of Fluids, University of Manchester
N. H. Johannesen
Affiliation:
Department of the Mechanics of Fluids, University of Manchester

Abstract

An approximate expression is given for the thickness of weak fully dispersed shock waves. Using available data on the thermodynamic properties of air, it is shown that shocks of the strength expected in sonic bangs are fully dispersed. Estimated relaxation times for dry and humid air lead to wide variations in possible thickness, varying from millimetres to metres.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1971 Cambridge University Press

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