Formation of shock waves in reactive magnetogasdynamic flow

The propagation of acceleration waves in reactive magnetogasdynamic flow, which is induced by the motion of a piston advancing with a finite acceleration in to a constant state of rest has been studied in the article along with the characteristic path by using the characteristics of the governing quasilinear system as the reference co-ordinate system. A differential equation governing the growth and decay of an acceleration wave is derived and integrated numerically. The critical time for formation of shock wave is obtained. The effect of magnetic field and chemical reaction on shock formation time are studied. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.