The Mechanical
Engineering Handbook




Density Ratio Across a Normal Shock Calculator







 

 

 

 


How This Is Calculated



$$ \frac{\rho_2}{\rho_1} = \frac{(\gamma + 1) M_1^2}{(\gamma - 1)M_1^2 + 2} $$ where:

ρ1   =   Static density before the shock   (kg/m³)

ρ2   =   Static density after the shock   (kg/m³)

M   =   Mach Number   (Dimensionless)

γ   =   Ratio of Specific Heats   (Dimensionless)


Assumptions



  • Flow is steady.
  • Flow is one-dimensional.
  • Shock is normal to flow direction.
  • The fluid behaves as an ideal gas.
  • Process is adiabatic.


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