The local speed of sound () is the speed at which pressure waves or disturbances propagate through a fluid medium. It represents the maximum speed at which information, changes in pressure, or disturbances can travel through the fluid. In other words, it’s the speed at which compressional waves, also known as sound waves, move through the fluid.Â
- Local speed of sound (a*) in m/s
- Velocity behind the shock (u2) in m/s
- Velocity ahead of the shock (u1) in m/s