Effects of hypersonic speed on the behaviour of normal shocks

In summary, there is a lot of discussion about the effects of oblique shock on hypersonic flow, but not much is mentioned about the normal shock at high Mach numbers. This is because the normal shock still follows the same rules as before and does not have significant interactions with a body. Both oblique and normal shocks can be affected by the boundary layer, known as the viscous-inviscid interaction or hypersonic viscous interaction. At high Mach numbers, molecular dissociation can also play a role in changing the gas quantity and species.
  • #1
theudster
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TL;DR Summary
What happens to normal shocks at hypersonic speed
I am learning about hypersonic flow now and there seems to be a lot of discussion about the effects on oblique shock as the Mach tends to be very large.
I was wondering what happens to the normal shock as the Mach number tends to be high and I can't seem to find anything about it. Is it because it is not possible to have a normal shock at hypersonic speeds?
 
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  • #3
You don't find much on it because nothing happens. They still obey all of the same rules they did before, and since they aren't attached to a body, you don't have some of the fun interactions you can get with oblique shocks.

For that matter, so do oblique shocks. The issue is just that oblique shocks tend to get so close to the surfaces generating them that the effect of the boundary layer can no longer be ignored and the inviscid approximation typically used for supersonic flows breaks down. This is called either the viscous-inviscid interaction or the hypersonic viscous interaction.
 
  • #4
Does anything interesting happen with regards to molecular dissociation actually changing the gas quantity/species through the shock or anything like that, or is the energy still not quite high enough for that?
 
  • #5
It sure can but it all depends on Mach number and ambient conditions. You can be hypersonics with or without that.
 

1. How does hypersonic speed affect normal shocks?

Hypersonic speeds can significantly alter the behavior of normal shocks. At these high speeds, the gas molecules in front of the shock wave are compressed to extremely high temperatures and pressures, causing the shock wave to become stronger and more intense.

2. What is the impact of hypersonic speed on the stability of normal shocks?

Hypersonic speeds can destabilize normal shocks, making them more prone to oscillations and fluctuations. This can lead to an increase in drag and heat transfer, which can be detrimental to the performance of hypersonic vehicles.

3. Are there any unique characteristics of normal shocks at hypersonic speeds?

Yes, normal shocks at hypersonic speeds exhibit unique characteristics such as shock wave detachment, shock wave reflection, and shock wave interaction. These phenomena can have significant effects on the overall behavior of the shock wave.

4. How do different factors, such as altitude and angle of attack, affect normal shocks at hypersonic speeds?

At different altitudes and angles of attack, the behavior of normal shocks at hypersonic speeds can vary significantly. These factors can influence the strength and shape of the shock wave, as well as its interaction with the surrounding flow.

5. What are the potential applications of studying the effects of hypersonic speed on normal shocks?

Studying the effects of hypersonic speed on normal shocks is crucial for the development of hypersonic vehicles and technologies. It can also provide insights into the behavior of shock waves in other high-speed flows, such as supersonic and transonic flows.

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