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Module 3 · Steer the Wedge

Anderson Ch. 9 · oblique shocks & expansion fans

Supersonic flow only turns two ways. Turn it INTO itself (wedge up) and it snaps through an oblique shock; turn it AWAY (wedge down, negative angle) and it relaxes through a smooth expansion fan. Steer the wedge, watch β chase θ — and find the angle where the shock says "no" and detaches. Then hit 🎯 for design challenges.

🚀 Mach M₁ 2.00
📐 Turn angle θ 10°
Wave angle β:
M₂:
p₂/p₁:
p₀₂/p₀₁:
The θ–β–M relation (Anderson §9.2) — three variables, know two, get the third:
tan θ = 2 cot β · (M₁² sin²β − 1)/(M₁²(γ + cos 2β) + 2) — we solve it for the weak shock, like nature usually does.
Across the shock only the NORMAL component matters: Mₙ₁ = M₁ sin β feeds the normal-shock relations, then M₂ = Mₙ₂ / sin(β−θ).
Too greedy (θ > θmax)? No attached solution exists — the shock detaches into a bow wave.
Turning away: Prandtl–Meyer ν(M) = √((γ+1)/(γ-1)) · tan⁻¹√((γ−1)(M²−1)/(γ+1)) − tan⁻¹√(M²−1), with ν(M₂) = ν(M₁) + |θ| — isentropic, zero total-pressure loss. Free turning!
Drag θ upward until the shock gives up (~23° at M = 2) — then try a negative angle.