Figure 1: Schematic solution of a Riemann
problem in special relativistic hydrodynamics. The initial
state at (top figure) consists of two constant states 1
and 5 with , , and separated by a diaphragm at . The evolution of the flow pattern once the
diaphragm is removed (middle figure) is illustrated in a spacetime
diagram (bottom figure) with a shock wave (solid line) and a
contact discontinuity (dashed line) moving to the right. The bundle
of solid lines represents a rarefaction wave propagating to the
left.
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