Question

When the right – circular cone is kept at an angle of attack to the free – stream, what is it considered to be?

(a) One – dimensional

(b) Two – dimensional

(c) Three – dimensional

(d) Four – dimensional

This question was addressed to me during an online interview.

Origin of the question is Cones at Angle of Attack in section Three-Dimensional Flow of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

Right answer is (c) Three – dimensional

Explanation: When the right – circular cone is kept at a zero angle of attack to the free – stream, it is known to be axisymmetric and is known to be a two – dimensional flow. But, when it is kept at an angle of attack, the flow no longer remains two – dimensional. The shock wave more or less remains the same but the flow becomes three – dimensional.