detached shock wave

detached shock wave

[di′tacht ′shäk ‚wāv]

(fluid mechanics)

A shock wave not in contact with the body which originates it.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

detached shock wave

A shock wave not in contact with the body that originates it. It is formed when the body is flying at supersonic speeds. The airflow becomes subsonic and then accelerates to supersonic. Also called detached shock.

An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved