The influence of magnetic field upon the collapse of a cylindrical shock wave

Abstract

In the present paper, the problem of propagation of collapsing cylindrical shock wave in an ideal gas permeated by a transverse magnetic field with infinite electrical conductivity is investigated. Here it is assumed that the medium ahead of the shock front is uniform and at rest. Also, its counter pressure concerning the motion of the wave front is neglected. This problem admits a self similar solution of second kind. The similarity exponent has been computed by solving a nonlinear eigenvalue problem and integrating numerically the self-similar equations for various values of adiabatic heat exponent and Cowling number. Numerical computations have been performed to determine the flow field behind the shock wave. The influence of magnetic field strength and adiabatic heat exponent on the flow parameters for various cases is presented. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.