In the context of a shock wave, refers to the temperature of a fluid immediately behind the shock wave. When a fluid encounters a shock wave, its properties undergo rapid changes, including alterations in pressure, temperature, density, and velocity. The temperature specifically represents the thermodynamic state of the fluid right after passing through the shock wave. Shock waves are regions where a sudden and significant increase in pressure leads to compression and heating of the fluid. This increase in temperature is a result of the conversion of kinetic energy into internal energy as the fluid slows down abruptly due to the shock. The temperature is higher than the temperature upstream (ahead) of the shock wave () due to this heating effect.
- is the temperature immediately behind the shock wave.
- is the temperature upstream (ahead) of the shock wave.
- is the temperature ratio across the shock wave.