Enumerate the properties and applications of shock waves.

2. b) Enumerate the properties and applications of shock waves.

Answer:

Properties of shock waves:

1. Shock waves travel in a medium with mach (M)>1.
2. Shock waves obey the laws of fluid dynamics.
3. When shock waves pass through a medium the entropy of the system increases.
4. When shock waves pass through a medium the changes are adiabatic.
5. General wave properties cannot be associated with shock waves.

Applications of Shock waves: 

1. Mach reflection of a shock wave is used to remove micron-size dust particles from the surface of silicon wafers.
2. Shock waves are used in medical therapy in orthopedics and for breaking kidney stones.
3. Shock waves are used in pencil industries to impregnate preservatives into wood slats.
4. Shock waves are used in sandal oil extraction.
5. Shock waves are used in cell transformation.
6. Shock waves are used in geophysics.