Gas dynamics
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Gas dynamics is a branch of fluid mechanics that deals with compressible flow. The unique aspects of gas dynamics include two phenomena that not do appear in other branches of fluid mechanics. These phenomena are waves (normal shocks , oblique shocks and expansion waves) and choking flow (isentropic, isothermal choking). A parallel to the shock seen in gas dynamics is the hydraulic jump witnessed in open-channel incompressible flow. Choking occurs when there is a disparity between the area difference of the nozzle and the throat and the pressure drop between the inlet and outlet, causing the creation of a shockwave before the outlet to make up for that difference.
Gas Dynamics became important during World War II due to its potential military applications. Other applications include manufacturing (die casting), and a myriad of other possibilities including the expansion of the gas that occurs when an airbag inflates in a motor vehicle.
[edit] See also
- Hypersonic flows
- Supersonic flows
- Mach number
- Mach wave
- Shock wave
- Prandtl-Meyer expansion fan
- Choked flow
- De Laval nozzle
- Shock tube
- Schlieren photography
