THE INTERACTION BETWEEN A MAGNETIC FIELD AND AN ELECTRICALLY PRODUCED SHOCK WAVE
Abstract
Shock wave flows of speeds up to 1 cm/usec have been observed to interact with a magnetic field of 5700 gauss. A reflected shock is observed and the deceleration of the flow is measured. Gas flows of up to Mach 63 in Krypton are produced by an annular electric shock tube powered by a discharge of long time constant. A radial magnetic field provides closed paths within the gas flow for the induced currents. The speed of the wave reflected off the magnetic field is found to increase with interaction strength. The flow momentum lost per particle as the flow traverses the field region, is calculated and compared to the impulse delivered each particle by the magnetic field. Agreement is found over a wide range of experimental conditions, validating the magnetohydrodynamic picture of the interaction and the use of the scalar gas conductivity. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0263247
Entities
People
- John Paul Barach
Organizations
- University of Maryland