Supersonic Bangs

Abstract

SummaryIn this paper a non-linear theory of the supersonic bangs from an accelerating body is worked out, using an extension of Whitham’s method. The strength of the bow shock is determined, and it is shown that the effect of acceleration on the pressure rise is appreciable at large distances from the nose for Mach numbers near unity. The results are compared with those of linear theory; the estimate for the pressure rise is found to be about a half of the linear value. The results also include an expression for the curvature of an attached shock at the nose, and a formula for the decay of a shock after it is detached from a decelerating body.