Shock reflexion and shock-wave interaction in field-aligned flows

This paper considers the steady two-dimensional problem of regular reflexion and symmetric intersection of oblique magnetogasdynamic shock waves. It is assumed that the fluid medium is a non-viscous, non-heat-conducting, ideal gas of infinite electrical conductivity, and that the applied magnetic field is parallel to the velocity of the approaching stream. In view of the complexity of the shock relations, a graphical method is presented for determining the orientation and strength of the reflected shock wave in terms of the Laval number M^*₁ (flow speed divided by critical sound speed), the Alfvén number A₁ (flow speed divided by Alfvén speed), and the shock angle ₁ ahead of the incident shock. Moreover, the possible ranges of M^*₁, A₁, and ₁, for which regular reflexion may occur, are calculated and illustrated graphically for the case of a monatomic gas.