Difference between shock wave and shock ?

AI Thread Summary
A shock wave is a propagating disturbance in a medium, often associated with sudden changes in pressure and density, such as those produced by explosions. In contrast, a shock refers to a contact discontinuity in these properties, which can occur in stationary forms known as standing shocks. While shock waves are linked to sound frequencies, shocks are more closely related to electromagnetic radiation frequencies. The terminology can be somewhat flexible, but the key distinction lies in the propagation of the shock wave versus the static nature of a shock. Understanding these differences is crucial for clarity in discussions about wave dynamics and material responses.
sam_021
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So I know what a shock wave is but what's a shock ?
is it just the front of the shock wave ?
 
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A shock wave is also known as the sound frequency. Shock would be classified as the electromagnetic radiation frequency.
 
onlinementor said:
A shock wave is also known as the sound frequency. Shock would be classified as the electromagnetic radiation frequency.
You might be confused about your terminology onlinementor; your response isn't correct, and seems to be quite unrelated as-well.

sam_021 said:
So I know what a shock wave is but what's a shock ?
is it just the front of the shock wave ?

These are (obviously) very related terms. In general, a 'shock' is a contact discontinuity in pressure and/or density of a material. There is often (if not always) a similar discontinuity in temperature, specific energy, entropy etc.
A 'shock wave' is a 'shock' which is propagating along/through the medium---e.g. from an explosion, or non-equilibrium accretion process.

There can be 'standing shocks' in which the shock is stationary; generally this would not be referred to as a shock 'wave' (but the terminology is somewhat loose).
 
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