expansion wave

[ɪkˈspænʃən weɪv]
nounpl: expansion waves
onda de expansão
1. A pressure wave that forms when a fluid (gas or liquid) flows from a high-pressure region to a lower-pressure region, causing the fluid to accelerate and expand
The expansion wave occurs when supersonic flow encounters a convex corner.
A onda de expansão ocorre quando o fluxo supersônico encontra um canto convexo.
2. In fluid dynamics and aerodynamics, a centered expansion fan or Prandtl-Meyer expansion wave that decreases pressure and increases velocity
Engineers calculated the expansion wave characteristics for the rocket nozzle design.
Os engenheiros calcularam as características da onda de expansão para o projeto do bocal do foguete.
3. A wave phenomenon in compressible flow where fluid properties change continuously through the expansion region
The expansion wave fan consists of infinite Mach waves.
O leque de onda de expansão consiste em infinitas ondas de Mach.
This is a specialized technical term primarily used in aerospace engineering, fluid mechanics, and physics education. It is commonly encountered in university-level engineering courses and professional contexts involving compressible flow analysis. The term is identical in both Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese technical literature.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
expansion fanPrandtl-Meyer expansionrarefaction wavecentered expansion wave
Antonyms / Antônimos
shock wavecompression waveoblique shock

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
onda de expansão
Standard technical term used in engineering and physics fields
Portugal
onda de expansão
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; technical terminology is uniform across Portuguese-speaking regions
Engineering Context
leque de expansão (expansion fan)
Alternative term emphasizing the fan-like structure of the wave pattern

Related Words

compressible flowsupersonic flowMach wavepressure waveaerodynamicsfluid dynamicsshock expansion theory

Related Idioms & Phrases

expansion wave pattern
centered expansion wave
expansion fan region
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