Why is critical Mach number of a sphere higher than a cylinder?

Why is critical Mach number of a sphere higher than a cylinder?

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    Critical Mach number is the free stream Mach number, such that local Mach number on the surface of the body is sonic.

    The flow over a cylinder is a two dimensional flow. When there is a flow over a cylinder, the flow moves upwards and downwards.

    The flow over a sphere is a three dimensional flow. Therefore when there is a flow over a sphere, it moves upward, downward and also in sideways, left and right.

    Therefore, flow over a cylinder has a greater speed than the flow over a sphere. So, to achieve a sonic velocity on the sphere, freestream Mach number is higher than cylinder.

    Therefore, critical Mach number of a sphere is higher than cylinder.

    Kumar59 Answered on 25th January 2022.
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