Question

Which of these is not the assumption for Taylor – Maccoll conical flow?

(a) Cone is placed at the zero angle of attack

(b) Flow properties along a ray of cone are constant

(c) Shock wave is curved

(d) Flow is axisymmetric

This question was addressed to me by my college director while I was bunking the class.

My doubt stems from Quantitative Formulation topic in section Linearized and Conical Flows of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

The correct choice is (c) Shock wave is curved

To elaborate: There are certain assumptions made to determine the conical flow. As per Taylor – Maccoll, the flow is assumed to be axisymmetric about z – axis \(\frac {∂}{∂ϕ}\) = 0, and the cone is assumed to be at zero angle of attack. If it was kept at any other angle then there will be 3 – dimensional effects that will be hard to account for. Also, the flow properties along the ray of the cone is assumed to be constant \(\frac {∂}{∂r}\) = 0 and the shock wave is straight.