What is the Relationship Between Mach Number and Velocity in Compressible Flow?

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The discussion centers on calculating the speed of an object flying at Mach 0.5 under varying temperatures to maintain the same Mach number. The initial speed at 180 K was calculated as 134.465 m/s, using the speed of sound formula. When recalculating for 100 K, the derived speed was 100.224 m/s, which differs from the given answer of 88.52 m/s. One participant suggested a possible typo in the question, proposing that it may have intended to reference a temperature drop to 80 K, which aligns more closely with the provided answer. The calculations and potential error highlight the importance of accuracy in problem statements.
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Homework Statement


An object is flying through the air at M=0.5. The free stream temperature is equal to 180 K. At what speed should the object fly when the temperature is 100 K in order to maintain the same Mach number? (therefore ensuring compressibility effects are the same). What was the speed of the first object.


Homework Equations


M=\frac{V}{a}

a=\sqrt{γRT}


The Attempt at a Solution


I've worked out the speed for the first object which is as follows
a=\sqrt{1.4\times287\times180}=268.931m/s
V=0.5\times268.931=134.465m/s

However when I work out the speed for the second temperature using the exact procedure, I get 100.225 as an answer. The answer that has been given is 88.52m/s.
 
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LaReina said:

Homework Statement


An object is flying through the air at M=0.5. The free stream temperature is equal to 180 K. At what speed should the object fly when the temperature is 100 K in order to maintain the same Mach number? (therefore ensuring compressibility effects are the same). What was the speed of the first object.


Homework Equations


M=\frac{V}{a}

a=\sqrt{γRT}


The Attempt at a Solution


I've worked out the speed for the first object which is as follows
a=\sqrt{1.4\times287\times180}=268.931m/s
V=0.5\times268.931=134.465m/s

However when I work out the speed for the second temperature using the exact procedure, I get 100.225 as an answer. The answer that has been given is 88.52m/s.
Please show us your work for the second temperature.

Chet
 
Chestermiller said:
Please show us your work for the second temperature.

Chet

a=\sqrt{1.4\times287\times100}=200.448
V=200.448\times0.5=100.224
 
This calculation looks OK to me.

Chet
 
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May be the question has a typo and it meant to ask what happens if the temperature drops 100K (which means it drops to 80K). That brings the answer closer to the answer provided.
 
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The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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