Structure and evolution of small-amplitude intermediate shock waves

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Physics of Fluids B; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859235· OSTI ID:6990487

Kennel, C F; Blandford, R D; Wu, C C ^[1]

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1. Theoretical Astrophysics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125 (US)

A simplified set of equations is derived that approximates the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Navier--Stokes equations for weakly nonlinear disturbances whose speeds are close to the MHD intermediate speed. Its shock structure solutions are then examined. The fast and slow shock solutions are uniquely specified by their Rankine--Hugoniot relations. However, the intermediate shock solutions, which are not unique, are characterized by the integral through the shock of the noncoplanar component of the magnetic field. For situations in which this integral is conserved, the Riemann problem is well defined and predicts the evolution of intermediate shocks. This analysis is substantiated by numerical computations.

• OSTI ID: 6990487
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (USA), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (USA) Vol. 2:2; ISSN 0899-8221; ISSN PFBPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640430* -- Fluid Physics-- Magnetohydrodynamics
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
AMPLITUDES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICAL SPACE
MECHANICS
NAVIER-STOKES EQUATIONS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
RIEMANN SPACE
SHOCK WAVES
SPACE