1. What is Mach Angle in Compressible Flow?

Mach Angle in compressible flow is defined as the angle between the Mach line (shock wave) and the direction of motion of the body. It occurs when an object moves through a fluid at supersonic speeds, creating a cone-shaped shock wave known as a Mach cone.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mach Angle formula:

Where:

• \( \mu \) — Mach Angle in Compressible Flow (degrees)
• \( C \) — Velocity of Sound in Medium (m/s)
• \( V \) — Projectile Velocity of Mach Cone (m/s)

Explanation: The Mach angle is calculated using the inverse sine of the ratio between the speed of sound in the medium and the velocity of the projectile forming the Mach cone.

3. Importance of Mach Angle Calculation

Details: Calculating the Mach angle is crucial in aerodynamics and supersonic flow analysis. It helps determine the shape and properties of shock waves, which is essential for designing high-speed aircraft, missiles, and understanding supersonic flow phenomena.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the velocity of sound in the medium and the projectile velocity in meters per second. Both values must be positive, and the sound velocity cannot exceed the projectile velocity (V ≥ C).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the physical significance of Mach angle?
A: The Mach angle represents the half-angle of the Mach cone formed when an object moves at supersonic speed. It indicates how "spread out" the shock wave is behind the moving object.

Q2: What happens when the projectile velocity equals the speed of sound?
A: When V = C (Mach number = 1), the Mach angle becomes 90 degrees, meaning the shock wave forms a perpendicular plane to the direction of motion.

Q3: Can the Mach angle be greater than 90 degrees?
A: No, the Mach angle is always between 0 and 90 degrees. As velocity increases (Mach number increases), the Mach angle decreases.

Q4: How does medium affect the Mach angle calculation?
A: Different media have different sound velocities, which directly affects the Mach angle calculation. The calculator uses the specific sound velocity for the medium in question.

Q5: What are typical applications of Mach angle calculations?
A: Mach angle calculations are essential in aerospace engineering, ballistics, supersonic wind tunnel testing, and the study of shock waves in various compressible flow applications.