PHYSICS OF SHOCK WAVES

High temperatures elicit a variety of reactions in gases including increased molecular vibrations dissociation chemical reactions ionization and radiation of light. In addition to affecting the motion of the gas these processes can lead to changes of composition and electrical properties as well as optical phenomena.These and other processes of extreme conditions &; such as occur in explosions in supersonic flight in very strong electrical discharges and in other cases &; are the focus of this outstanding text by two leading physicists of the former Soviet Union. The authors deal thoroughly with all the essential physical influences on the dynamics and thermodynamics of continuous media weaving together material from such disciplines as gas dynamics shock-wave theory thermodynamics and statistical physics molecular physics spectroscopy radiation theory astrophysics solid-state physics and other fields.This volume uniquely comprehensive in the field of high-temperature gas physics and gas dynamics was edited and annotated by Wallace D. Hayes and Ronald F. Probstein leading authorities on the flow of gases at very high speeds. It is exceptionally well suited to the needs of graduate students in physics as well as professors engineers and researchers.