What happens if two moving shock waves collide?

In summary, the conversation discusses the behavior of two normal shock waves moving towards each other at different speeds. The question is raised about what would happen when they collide and how to determine the changes in velocity. The conversation also mentions the potential impact of air movement and the possibility of NASA experts having photographic evidence of similar situations with supersonic warplanes.
  • #1
DigedyDan
2
0
Say there were to be two normal shock waves that were moving towards each other at different speeds. What would happen when they collide with each other? Would the shock waves flow past each other or would they be reflected back from the direction they came from? Also how would you be able to determine how the shock waves would change in velocity after passing through each other, reflecting, or whatever it is that they do?

I'm not sure if I'm describing it well enough, so I'll try to draw it out.
shock @ speed X air moving at speed Y shock @ speed Z
|->x ( -->y ) z<-|

which then becomes

a<-| ( -->b ) |->c
 
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  • #2
Logically speaking, it doesn't seem that the air movement would make much difference (depending on the strength of the waves)
 
  • #3
So the velocity of the air in the middle would only change the reference frame? As in if you were to make Y=0m/s, then the two shocks would be X-Y and Z+Y respectively?

EDIT: This seemed to have worked, and it matched with given calculations for before the shocks collide with each other. However, I still do not know what happens when the shocks do collide.
 
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  • #4
What happens when supersonic warplanes fly past each other on opposite courses? Photographic evidence probably exists somewhere.

Are there any NASA experts reading this thread?
 

FAQ: What happens if two moving shock waves collide?

What is a shock wave?

A shock wave is a type of propagating disturbance that carries energy through a medium, such as air or water. It is characterized by a sudden, sharp increase in pressure and temperature, followed by a rapid decrease.

What happens when two shock waves collide?

When two shock waves collide, the energy and momentum from each wave interacts and can cause changes in the medium. This can result in a change in the direction and intensity of the shock waves, as well as the formation of new shock waves.

Can shock waves cancel each other out?

Shock waves can partially cancel each other out, but they cannot completely cancel each other out. This is because the energy and momentum from the shock waves will still interact and cause changes in the medium, even if they partially cancel each other out.

What factors affect the collision of shock waves?

The speed, direction, and intensity of the shock waves, as well as the properties of the medium they are traveling through, can all affect the collision of shock waves. Other factors such as the distance between the shock waves and the angle at which they collide can also play a role.

What are the real-life applications of studying shock wave collisions?

Shock wave collisions can be observed in various natural phenomena, such as explosions, meteor impacts, and supernovas. Understanding the behavior of shock waves can also have practical applications in fields such as aerodynamics, astrophysics, and materials science.

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