Structure of Weak Shocks in Fluids Having Embedded Regions of Negative Nonlinearity

Abstract

The dissipative structure of weak shock waves in fluids in which the fundamental derivative is negative for a finite range of pressures and temperatures has been examined. Conditions under which the shock thickness increases with strength rather than decreases are delineated. Nonclassical features of the entropy distribution and variation of local Mach number are also described.