Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program

Vapor Cone

ADDPMP075
Vapor Cone - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program

A vapor cone, also known as shock collar or shock egg, is a visible cloud of condensed water that can sometimes form around an object moving at high speed through moist air, for example, an aircraft flying at transonic speeds. When the localized air pressure around the object drops, so does the air temperature. If the temperature drops below the saturation temperature, a cloud forms.

In the case of aircraft, the cloud is caused by expansion fans decreasing the air pressure, density and temperature below the dew point. Then pressure, density and temperature suddenly increase across the stern shock wave associated with a return to subsonic flow behind the aircraft. Since the local Mach number is not uniform over the aircraft, parts of the aircraft may be supersonic while others remain subsonic—a flight regime called transonic flight.

In addition to making the shock waves themselves visible, water condensation can also occur in the trough between two crests of the shock waves produced by the passing of the object. However, this effect does not necessarily coincide with the acceleration of an aircraft through the speed of sound or Mach 1.

Vapor Cone - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
Vapor Cone - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
Vapor Cone - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
Tidal Bore - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP528
Tidal Bore
Longyangxia Dam - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP529
Longyangxia Dam
Doin Time in Times Square - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP184
Doin Time in Times Square
Tarrare - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP722
Tarrare
Deja Vu - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP448
Deja Vu
Blue-Ringed Octopus - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP436
Blue-Ringed Octopus
The Locked Room - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP285
The Locked Room
Razzle Dazzle Camouflage - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP020
Razzle Dazzle Camouflage
Tooth Universal Numbering System - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP124
Tooth Universal Numbering System
Rag Chair - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP356
Rag Chair
Ant Mill - © Attention Deficit Disorder Prosthetic Memory Program
ADDPMP420
Ant Mill

You are using an outdated browser.
Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.