A weekly programme about work in the world of science
SHOCK WAVES by H. J. Pain
Imperial College, London
We normally come across shock waves only when they are causing damage or annoyance-after explosions, for instance, or in the form of supersonic bangs-but they can be produced and studied under controlled conditions in the laboratory. This technique has become an important research tool, used by aerodynamicists, by chemists, and in experiments on thermonuclear fusion.