Mach Number

- Engineering & Applied Technologies -
Aerospace & Automotive Dictionary
Definition

A physical design concept defining how aerodynamic forces and structural behavior are modeled, tested, and managed in flight or vehicle applications. It governs performance prediction, load sizing, and durability assessment using analysis and test evidence. It does not provide acceptable performance without appropriate design margins and validated models for the intended operating envelope.

Mach Number

Engineering & Applied Technologies Dictionary
Definition
The dimensionless ratio of an object's speed relative to the local speed of sound in the surrounding medium, defined as M = V / a where V is object's speed and a is the local speed of sound; it characterizes the importance of compressibility and acoustics in the flow.