compression wave
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Related to compression wave: rarefaction wave
compression wave
[kəm′presh·ən ‚wāv] (fluid mechanics)
A wave in a fluid in which a compression is propagated.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
compression wave
A shock wave that forms on the surface of an airfoil moving through the air at supersonic speeds. The reverse phenomenon is an expansion wave. Also called bow wave. See also bow shock wave and expansion wave.
An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved