The deflection angle () is an important concept in compressible fluid dynamics that describes the change in direction of a fluid flow caused by the interaction of shock waves or expansion waves. It’s the difference between the Prandtl-Meyer angles () associated with two different Mach numbers (). The deflection angle provides insight into how a fluid flow changes its direction as it encounters shock waves or other flow disturbances. It’s an essential parameter in analyzing the behavior of compressible flows and their interactions with obstacles or changes in geometry.
- is the deflection angle in radians.
- is the Prandtl-Meyer angle corresponding to Mach number .
- is the Prandtl-Meyer angle corresponding to Mach number .