Question

What happens to the shock wave when the cone angle is less than the maximum cone angle?

(a) Oblique shock formation does not occur

(b) Shock wave becomes detached

(c) Shock wave is attached to the cone

(d) There is formation of normal shock wave

This question was posed to me in semester exam.

My question comes from Physical Aspects of Supersonic Flow over Cones in section Linearized and Conical Flows of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

The correct option is (c) Shock wave is attached to the cone

For explanation: For the oblique shock wave to be attached to the vertex of the cone, the half cone angle θc must be less than the maximum cone angle θcmax. As soon as θc exceeds θcmax, the oblique shock wave gets detached from the cone.