The characteristic Mach number, often denoted as , is a dimensionless parameter used in fluid dynamics to describe the behavior of compressible flows, particularly when analyzing the effects of compressibility on fluid properties. The characteristic Mach number, , is used to determine the degree of compressibility effects in a fluid flow.
- Characteristic Mach number (M*)
- Speed of object (u) in m/s
- Speed of sound at sonic conditions (a*) in m/s