209 
THE HYDRODYNAMIC THEORY OF DETONATION 
AND SHOCK WAVES 
by 
G. B. Kistiakowsky, E. Bright Wilson, Jr. 
Harvard University 
and 
R. S. Ealford, Columbia University 
1941 
Abstract 
The fundamental equations of the hydrodynamic theory of one-dimensional 
shock waves, i.e. the equations of conservation of mass, momentum and energy, 
are developed. These are used to calculate the properties (velocity, mss- 
velocity, temperature and pressure rise) in shock waves in air and water. 
With one additional equation, they suffice to permit a calculation of de- 
tonation velocities in gaseous and solid explosives. Predictions of de- 
tonation velocities as a function of loading density are thereby achieved, 
accurate to a few percent. Pressures, temperatures and mass-velocities 
inside the explosive are alsc computed. The question of the rarefaction 
wave following the detonation front in the explosive is investigated. The 
initial velocity, pressure etc. of the shock wave produced at the end of a 
stick of explosive are calculated successfully. The aying away of shock 
waves, problems of reflection etc. are also discussed briefly. 
