What is meant by oblique shock wave?

Answer 1

For compressible flows with little or small flow turning, the flow process is

reversibleand the

entropyis constant. The change in flow properties are then given by the

isentropic relations. But when an object moves faster than the speed of sound, and there is an abrupt decrease in the flow area,

shock wavesare generated in the flow.

If the shock wave is perpendicular to the flow direction, it is called a

normal shock. There are equations which describe the change in the flow variables. The equations are derived from the conservation of

mass,

momentum, and

energy. Depending on the shape of the object and the speed of the flow, the shock wave may be inclined to the flow direction. When a shock wave is inclined to the flow direction it is called an

obliqueshock.

HOE OBLIQUE SHOCKS ARE GENERATED?
Oblique shocks are generated by the nose and by the leading edge of the wing and tail of a supersonic aircraft. Oblique shocks are also generated at the trailing edges of the aircraft as the flow is brought back to free stream conditions. Oblique shocks also occur downstream of a

nozzleif the expanded pressure is different from free stream conditions. In high speed

inlets, oblique shocks are used to compress the air going into the engine. The air pressure is increased without using any rotating machinery.