An oblique shock angle is the angle between the direction of the supersonic flow and the shock wave that forms when the flow encounters a corner or a wedge that deflects the flow. The oblique shock angle depends on the upstream Mach number, the specific heat ratio of the fluid, and the deflection angle of the corner or the wedge.
NOTE: Valid only for very small deflection angles (less than 5 degrees) and very high Mach numbers (greater than 10). For general cases, the equation cannot be solved analytically for 𝛽, and numerical methods are required.
- Deflection angle (θ) in rad
- Specific heat ratio (𝛾)
- Oblique shock angle (β) in rad