Physics of Shock Waves and High-Temperature Hydrodynamic Phenomena (Dover Books on Physics) [Paperback]

Ya. B. Zel'dovich (Author), Yu. P. Raizer (Author), Physics (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0486420027 | ISBN-13: 978-0486420028 | Publication Date: March 31, 2002

Physical, chemical processes in gases at high temperatures are focus of outstanding text by two distinguished physicists. Combines material from gas dynamics, shock-wave theory, thermodynamics and statistical physics, molecular physics, spectroscopy, radiation theory, other fields for comprehensive treatment.

284 black-and-white illustrations. 1966–1967 edition, originally published in two volumes.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian

Product Details

• Paperback: 944 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (March 31, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486420027
• ISBN-13: 978-0486420028
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #364,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Waves & Wave Mechanics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book EVER on high-temperature flows., April 18, 2002

By 

D. Mihalas (Los Alamos, NM United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Physics of Shock Waves and High-Temperature Hydrodynamic Phenomena (Dover Books on Physics) (Paperback)

The republication by Dover Publications of this masterwork by Ya. B. Zel'dovich and Yu. P. Raizer will be welcomed by all workers dealing with high-temperature (radiating) flows. This book is a virtual "Bible" for studies of shocks and radiation fronts in high speed aeronautics, astronautics (re-entry), astrophysics, fireballs, shock tubes, and very intense explosions.

Zel'dovich was a physicist of extraordinary breadth of interests. The style of this book is to give heuristic explanations followed by rigorous analysis. It is insightful for both beginning students and researchers in the field. This book is an ABSOLUTE MUST for anyone working on the subjects listed above.

The Dover edition binds both original volumes as one, and is based on the very scarce second printing, in which most of the typographical errors in the first printing were corrected. All other errors noted over the years since the original edition went out of print have been collected and corrected in this version, which should be virtually error free.

I URGE anyone working in astrophysics and high-temperature flow physics to buy, read, enjoy, and be enlightened by this masterpiece.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible for the Study of the hydrodynamics of high temperature, compressible fluids, October 8, 2006

By 

Utah Blaine (Somewhere on Trexalon in District 268) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Physics of Shock Waves and High-Temperature Hydrodynamic Phenomena (Dover Books on Physics) (Paperback)

This majisterial work by the famous Russian physicist/astrophysicist Yakov B. Zeldovich is the first and last book to refer to when studying the hydrodynamics of compressible fluids at high temperatures. The author's primary goal is to describe (as well as possible in a roughly 1000 page text) the physics, chemistry, and radiation diagnostics (i.e. radiative transfer) of a 20 kt thermonuclear explosion in the atmosphere. This book will be of use to a wide range of physicists and astrophysicists in other areas of research as well, though. The book begins with a (brief) discussion of the basics of the physics of shocks (and the hydrodynamics/thermodynamics of supersonic flow in general). More detailed topics include a detailed discussion of the ionization of the air (i.e. a change of adiabatic index from 7/5 to 5/3), the broad band spectrum of the explosion, and many others. Any absolute must have for any scientist studying compressible/supersonic flows.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on shock waves ever!, October 31, 2009

By 

A. I. Haque - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Physics of Shock Waves and High-Temperature Hydrodynamic Phenomena (Dover Books on Physics) (Paperback)

I've wasted many credit hours taking physics courses all the way up through grad school and never learned a damned thing! This book reignited my interest in physics. It explains how to think about the physics and what things mean as opposed to the typical nonsense of here's the equation and the solution (solution obtained by some absurd change of variable or transformation that you will never be able to guess if you lived a 1.0E12 years!) Gives great insight on physical modeling. This is one of few physics books I cannot live without. This is one of 3 books that allowed me to get a Ph.D!

However, it is not for beginers. You must have some experience in fluid mechanics and quantum mechanics in order to appreciate the material. The book is not going to tell you how to solve problems, but focus on the meaning of results.