The Propagation of Shocks in Exponentially Decreasing Atmospheres
Abstract
This report contains an exposition of a similarity solution to the hydrodynamic equations in planar symmetry. The solution describes an explosion in an atmosphere whose density is exponentially decreasing. Comparisons are made between the properties of this solution and those of a calculated explosion. The similarity solution was actually suggested by an examination of the asymptotic behavior of a calculated explosion and agrees excellently with it. A number of numerical results pertinent to these solutions are presented. Stability of the asymptotic behavior of the explosion to boundary conditions (structure of the source) is presented, both through examination of similarity solutions and the explosion calculations for different types of sources. The asymptotic behavior of the shock wave is found to be virtually independent of the source for a large class of them. A comparison of the results for shock acceleration to those predicted by the Chisnell formula is given. Also presented are numerical results for explosions in cylindrical and spherical symmetries. Comments are given concerning the convergence of these solutions to those of planar symmetry.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- January 1966
- DOI:
- 10.1086/148476
- Bibcode:
- 1966ApJ...143...48G