Mach number
Noun
Meaning
the ratio of the speed of a moving body to the speed of sound
Source: WordNetSynonyms
Hypernyms
Examples
An aircraft Machmeter or electronic flight information system ( EFIS ) can display Mach number derived from stagnation pressure ( pitot tube ) and static pressure.
As this could have a detrimental effect on the integrity of the engine and/or airframe, the fuel control system must reduce engine fuel flow to stabilize the flight Mach number and, thereby, air intake temperature to reasonable levels.
As the Mach number is a dimensionless quantity rather than a unit of measure, with Mach, the number comes after the unit; the second Mach number is "Mach 2" instead of "2 Mach" (or Machs).
First, the analytic equations for the oblique shock angle become nearly independent of Mach number at high (~>10) Mach numbers.
For very high Mach number (M > 25) simulations, models can be launched into a counter-flowing gas stream generated by the shock tube.
Generally, NASA defines "high" hypersonic as any Mach number from 10 to 25, and re-entry speeds as anything greater than Mach 25. Aircraft operating in this regime include the Space Shuttle and various space planes in development.