What are shock waves used for?

Answer 1

In simple terms, a shock wave forms whenever a force moves faster than the molecules of the medium (solid, liquid or gas) can get out of the way. This causes a multiplication of energy at the event that we call a shock wave.

Shock waves are pretty common phenomena and have many different forms, depending on the source of the force and what it is traveling through. Some examples are the crack of a whip, a hammer striking a chisel or a tsunami.

Answer 2

Essentially, when gas travels faster than speed of sound at those conditions, there is a sharp change in properties accross an interface which is one order of magnitude higher than mean free path of the gas: basically over very very small distance. this sudden jump is calles shock; it travels hence shock wave. There may be two kinds: One where the air actually moves faster than c (supersonic planes) and one where the disturbance (shock) travels faster than c and we have a shock wave scenario even when no matter travels faster than c.

Answer 3

,

Well, 1st of all, let me tell you that it is a term of CFD and aerodynamics. So I guess that you are completely unaware of the terms I'm gonna use for explanation. Let me start with the beginning. Fluid (liquids, semi-liquids or gases) flows are divided into four distinctive categories in terms of their flow velocity. Here they are.

(v=velocity of the flow;

&

M=velocity of sound in the medium in which flow is taking place)

if,

v<M ==> flow is subsonic

v is very very near to M but still lesser than M ==> flow is trans-sonic

v>M ==> flow is supersonic

v>>>M ==> flow is hyper-sonic

Shock wave is the phenomenon in which flow properties (density, temperature, velocity, pressure, etc...) changes very abruptly due to some obstruction or sudden change of flow direction. You can search images for shock waves in Google very easily and they are very comprehensive, too. Basically shock wave is an imaginary layer behind and after which there are drastic changes of flow properties.

Now, Keep in mind that shock waves can only take place in supersonic or hyper-sonic flows. In trans-sonic flows, shock wave can take place but they are very weak.

In aerodynamics and thermodynamics there are certain cases when a flow passes through a duct, which either contracts or expands very suddenly. Due to this sudden expansion or contraction flow has to either expand or compress respectively. This is the onset of the shock wave. In most of the cases of expansion shock wave, flow is accelerated after the shock.

Hope these explanations are helpful to you.

Answer 4

An shock wave is when a force goes through matter so fast the substance it is going through can't rearrange its molecules fast enough. So it ends up as a shock wave.

When an explosive detonates, the energy from the explosion blasts through the ground so fast, the ground cannot rearrange with the force fast enough, and thus an disturbance occurs on the ground which is why a powerful enough shock wave can destroy structures and move things.

Answer 5

shockwaves (seismic waves) are vibrations that race rapidly outward in all directions from the focus of the earthquake.

Answer 6

Beluga Whales use them to stun their prey.