Mach Wave

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Mach Wave

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1. A shock wave theoretically occurring along a common line of intersection of all the pressure disturbances emanating from an infinitesimally small particle moving at supersonic speed through a fluid medium, with such a wave considered to exert no changes in the condition of the fluid passing through it. </dd>
The concept of the Mach wave is used in defining and studying the realm of certain disturbances in a supersonic field of flow. </dd>
2. A very weak shock wave appearing, e.g., at the nose of a very sharp body, where the fluid undergoes no substantial change in direction. </dd>

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use