Alfvénic
adjective
Alf·vén·ic
¦al(f)-¦vā-nik 
-¦ve-
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an Alfvén wave
Alfvénic velocity
In a magnetic nozzle the Alfvén speed plays a role similar to that of the sound speed in a conventional nozzle. The transition from sub-Alfvénic to super-Alfvénic flow delineates a boundary beyond which the flow downstream has no effect upstream—which ensures that the detachment exerts no drag on the rocket.—
Franklin R. Chang Díaz, Scientific American, November 2000
Franklin R. Chang Díaz, Scientific American, November 2000Dictionary Entries Near Alfvénic
Cite this Entry
“Alfvénic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Alfv%C3%A9nic. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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