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kevjcarvalho
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can anyone tell me why air gets compressed due to a shockwave...
Since air can't get out of the way, it piles up - it compresses.kevjcarvalho said:that i know...but how does compressible flow come into picture?
redargon said:I thought the shockwave was caused because the air is compressed.
Air compresses under shockwaves due to the sudden increase in pressure caused by the shockwave. When an object moves faster than the speed of sound, it creates a shockwave in the air. This shockwave has a high pressure region at its front and a low pressure region behind it. As the shockwave propagates, the high pressure region compresses the air molecules, causing them to move closer together and increasing the air's density.
Stronger shockwaves compress air more because they have a higher pressure gradient. The pressure gradient refers to the difference in pressure between the high and low pressure regions of the shockwave. The greater the pressure gradient, the stronger the force on the air molecules and the greater the compression. Therefore, stronger shockwaves have a higher pressure gradient and compress the air more.
Several factors can affect the amount of air compression under shockwaves, including the speed and size of the object creating the shockwave, the distance from the object, and the properties of the air (such as temperature and humidity). Additionally, the shape of the object and the presence of obstacles in the shockwave's path can also impact air compression.
Air compression under shockwaves can have various effects on the surrounding environment. In some cases, it can cause damage to structures, such as buildings or vehicles, due to the sudden increase in pressure. It can also create loud noises, such as the sonic boom produced by supersonic aircraft. In addition, air compression can affect the behavior of other objects in the shockwave's path, such as causing them to vibrate or move.
Yes, air compression under shockwaves can be harnessed for various practical purposes. One example is in supersonic propulsion, where shockwaves are used to compress air and create thrust. Shockwaves can also be utilized in industrial processes, such as shockwave lithotripsy for breaking up kidney stones, or in shockwave therapy for medical treatments. However, careful engineering and safety measures must be taken to control and manage the effects of air compression under shockwaves for these purposes.