An Example of a Plane Shock of Variable Strength

Abstract

AbstractA particular solution of the equations of one-dimensional anisentropic flow of a polytropic gas is linked by a shock to gas at rest in which the density is non-uniform. The approach is inverse in that the density distribution is derived from the position of the shock and the prescribed flow behind it. The velocity and strength of the shock each vary with time. The result is an example of the propagation of a shock through an inhomogeneous gas.