Shock-wave dynamics under expansion of the spark channel in gas

Abstract

The process of formation of shock waves arising at a spark discharge is considered. According to analysis of experimental statistics the results of the various authors about dynamics of development of the spark channel are exposed to a doubt. The definition of a concept of time of formation of a shock wave is offered and its quantitative evaluation is carried out. It has allowed to distinguish the process of formation from the process of development of a shock wave, and also to explain the fact of formation of several shock waves at a spark discharge. The offered work can be put in a basis of a technique for evaluation of the intensity of a shock wave formed at a spark discharge.