Question

How does the coefficient of pressure vary for supersonic flow as the Mach number decreases?

(a) Increases

(b) Decreases

(c) Remains same

(d) First increases, then decreases

I had been asked this question by my college director while I was bunking the class.

The above asked question is from Linearized Pressure Coefficient topic in portion Linearized and Conical Flows of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) Increases

The best I can explain: In the supersonic regime, according to the linearized coefficient of pressure is directly proportional to the local inclination and inversely proportional to  \(\sqrt {M_∞^2 – 1}\). Due to this relation, as the Mach number decreases, the coefficient of pressure increases to a point where Mach number reaches transonic regime (M = 1) where the coefficient of pressure becomes infinity.