In aerodynamics, an “expansion wave over the top of the flat plate” refers to a specific flow phenomenon that occurs when a supersonic flow interacts with the upper surface of a flat plate. The “expansion wave over the bottom of the flat plate” refers to a specific flow phenomenon that occurs when a supersonic flow interacts with the lower surface of a flat plate.Â
- Ratio of total pressure at bottom of the plate to the static pressure of bottom of flat plate (p01/p1)
- Ratio of total pressure at top of the plate to the static pressure of top of flat plate (p02/p2)
- Ratio of static pressure on top of the plate to the static pressure on bottom of the plate (p2/p1)