Features of a negative ionization wave development preceding the full breakdown in a long capillary tube wrapped with a continuous or fine-sectioned grounded electrode

The experimental results on the study of negative ionization wave propagating along a long capillary tube are presented. The ionization wave was initiated by high-voltage pulse of negative polarity. The propagation of this surface ionization wave precedes and influences the establishment of complete electric breakdown within the tube. The spreading of this wave is accompanied by the surface charge deposition. The usage of the fine-sectioned outer electrode allows one to find out the general features of a negative ionization wave. The main of them is the tight correlation between local currents determining the formation of local surface charge and visual discharge images taken by the fast camera characterizing the pace of the ionization wave propagation.

Development of Physics Learning Media based on Guided Inquiry Model to Improve Students' Concepts Mastery and Creativity

This study aims to develop learning media based on guided inquiry models to improve students' concepts mastery and creativity in physics learning in senior high schools. The learning media in question is a ripple tank to explain the characteristics of a mechanical wave. Development research with the 4D model (define, design, development, dissemination) was conducted in this study, where the learning media developed met the criteria of validity, practicality, and effectiveness in improving students' concepts mastery and creativity. Evaluation of the learning media validity is carried out through a validation mechanism where the media is validated by 3 validators (media experts), while evaluation of the practicality and effectiveness of learning media through its implementation in class involves students in two schools in Mataram City - Indonesia. The results of the study show that the learning media with the guided inquiry model are valid, practical, and effective in improving students' concepts mastery and creativity in learning physics. The results of further studies are described in this article

COVID-19 pandemic and automobile transport: lessons from the first wave

The general results of the work of the automobile transport in the world during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, summed up on the results of the work of the Special Group on COVID-19 of the World Road Association, based on the materials of almost three dozen webinars with the participation of representatives from many countries of the world. It is emphasized that the automobile transport during the pandemic was able to maintain efficiency and ensure the transport of passengers and critical goods to maintain the vitality of national economies. The features of the work of the automobile transport during the pandemic and accompanying lockdowns, including the impact of the drop in traffic on the financial condition of the automobile and automobile industry, disclosed. Based on the generalization and assessment of world experience, recommendations formulated on the organization of passenger and freight traffic, routine maintenance and repair of roads, road construction, management of the road industry with a wide organization of remote work of office personnel and the intensive use of information and computer technologies during pandemics. Proposals made for the further organization of the work of the automobile and automobile industry based on the forecast of the wave development of the COVID-19 pandemic and possible similar global disasters.

Unsteady shock wave dynamics in accelerating and decelerating flight

Increasingly agile manoeuvre is an advantage in the flight of aircraft, missiles and aerial vehicles, but the principles of accelerating aerodynamics in the transonic regime are only now being fully investigated. This study contributes to the understanding of shock and separation effects on drag during axial acceleration, using a simple geometric configuration. Unsteady shock wave behavior was numerically investigated for an axisymmetric cone-cylinder using a commercial solver and the Moving Reference Frame acceleration technique. This acceleration technique was validated using unsteady numerical and experimental methods. The cone-cylinder was accelerated from Mach number 0.6 to Mach number 1.2 at 100g constant and deceleration was from Mach number 1.2 until Mach number 0.6 at –100g constant. Three cone angles were tested for the cone-cylinder with uniform cylinder diameter. Acceleration through the transonic Mach regime was characterised by a delayed and gradual shock wave development when compared to steady state, demonstrating a clear flow history effect. Deceleration through the transonic Mach regime was characterised by shock wave propagation from the base to the nose. New flow structures appeared during deceleration that do not have counterparts in the steady state, including shock interactions and propagating expansion-compression features. Gross changes in the unsteady drag coefficient curves for each cone-angle are explained with reference to unsteady shock wave behaviour for accelerating and decelerating motion.

A study of the interaction of a travelling shock wave with a solid-propellant rocket motor head end

Experimental and numerical studies have been undertaken to examine various aspects pertaining to the interaction of an incident travelling shock wave with a solid rocket motor's head end (forward section), in order to identify any potential gasdynamic mechanism of wave reinforcement pertinent to combustion instability behaviour in these motors. A cold-flow experiment, based on a shock tube scheme tailored to the present application, has proved to be useful in providing information surrounding the interaction process. Both experimental and numerical results (CFD simulations) confirm the existence of substantial transient radial wave development superimposed on the base reflected axial shock wave. These results illustrate the potential weakness of one-dimensional flow models for certain engineering applications, where important multidimensional phenomena, such as those observed in this work, may not be captured. By analogy to actual propulsion system combustion chambers, the transverse wave activity is potentially a factor in supporting an augmentation of the local combustion rate in the head-end region of a rocket motor combustor.

A study of the interaction of a travelling shock wave with a solid-propellant rocket motor head end

Experimental and numerical studies have been undertaken to examine various aspects pertaining to the interaction of an incident travelling shock wave with a solid rocket motor's head end (forward section), in order to identify any potential gasdynamic mechanism of wave reinforcement pertinent to combustion instability behaviour in these motors. A cold-flow experiment, based on a shock tube scheme tailored to the present application, has proved to be useful in providing information surrounding the interaction process. Both experimental and numerical results (CFD simulations) confirm the existence of substantial transient radial wave development superimposed on the base reflected axial shock wave. These results illustrate the potential weakness of one-dimensional flow models for certain engineering applications, where important multidimensional phenomena, such as those observed in this work, may not be captured. By analogy to actual propulsion system combustion chambers, the transverse wave activity is potentially a factor in supporting an augmentation of the local combustion rate in the head-end region of a rocket motor combustor.

Wave development and transformation under strong offshore winds: modelling by DNS and kinetic equations and comparison with airborne measurements

<p>Transformation of spectral shape during wind wave development and the transition from the spectrum of developing waves to the spectrum of fully developed waves are well documented in measurements, but have so far escaped all modelling, as well as theoretical explanation. Numerical models of long-term wind wave evolution are based on the Hasselmann kinetic equation (KE). The KE predicts strict self-similarity beyond the initial several thousand characteristic periods of wave development, and therefore cannot describe the subsequent change of spectral shape. Instead, it predicts that the self-similar spectral shape, with a steep front and an enhanced peak, holds at arbitrary fetch, notwithstanding the experimental evidence that mature waves are characterised by the much wider Pierson-Moskowitz spectral shape.</p><p>To resolve the contradiction, we perform long-term modelling of wind wave evolution by direct numerical simulation (DNS), based on the Zakharov equation. We model a particular class of situations when the wave field at hand is generated by a strong quasi-stationary offshore wind jet, which is caused by pressure differences and accelerates passing through a valley into the sea. Examples of such phenomena are the Tehuano event off the Pacific coast of Mexico, and the Mistral in the northern Mediterranean. Modelling results are compared with the airborne observations of waves generated by these winds, collected during GOTEX and HYMEX experiments respectively. In parallel we also perform numerical simulations with the Hasselmann kinetic equation and the generalised kinetic equation. For modelling of waves off the Mexican coast, wind data are taken from measurements during the GOTEX experiment, and the initial conditions from the measured spectrum at the moment when wind waves prevail over swell after a short initial part of the evolution. Waves in the Mediterranean Sea are modelled with constant wind forcing and zero initial condition.</p><p>We show that the evolution of integral characteristics, e.g. significant wave height and wave steepness, is reproduced reasonably well by all modelling approaches. However, the spectral shape of developed waves demonstrates a large discrepancy between, on the one hand, the measured spectra and the DNS modelling and, on the other hand, spectra modelled by both kinetic equations. At the intermediate and advanced stage of development, both measured spectra and the DNS spectra tend to Pierson-Moskowitz spectral shape, while the modelling based on the kinetic equations invariably predicts spectra with a higher, more pronounced peak. In terms of the parameter of spectral peakedness, a commonly convenient measure of spectral shape, there is a large (of order one) discrepancy.</p><p>We propose a theoretical explanation of the discrepancy as being due to the neglect of non-gaussianity in the derivation of the kinetic equations, and provide a numerical confirmation of this hypothesis.</p>