Compressional Wave Front Propagation through a Simple Vortex

Abstract

The equations of propagation of a compressional wave through a moving medium are developed in vector notation. Application is made to the special case of a linear vortex of constant strength m in which the motion is irrotational. Differential equations are set up in general form for the wave fronts and rays. A simple approximation is derived for the distortion produced in an originally plane wave front by transmission through the vortex. The results are in general agreement with observed fluctuation phenomena in acoustic propagation in air.