The “normal component of upstream Mach Number” refers to the component of the Mach number that is perpendicular (normal) to a specified reference direction. In fluid dynamics and aerodynamics, it’s common to analyze the flow of a fluid or the motion of an object in terms of its velocity components along different directions. The Mach number characterizes the speed of the fluid or object relative to the local speed of sound, and its normal component provides information about the component of this speed that is perpendicular to a particular reference direction.Â
- Normal component of upstream Mach Number (Mn,1)Â
- Oblique shock wave (β) in radiansÂ
- Upstream Mach number (M1)