Specific Features of Atmospheric Propagation of Nonlinear Acoustic Disturbances from Pulsed Sources

The features of the propagation of nonlinear pulsed acoustic disturbances in the atmosphere are considered. Data are presented on the experimental observation of shock front formation and the transition of a shock wave into a low-intensity acoustic wave with transformation of the pulse shape and broadening of the front at distances greater than 1000 km under both spherical and cylindrical propagation conditions. The influence of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability during rapid gas compression on the formation of the shock front structure is discussed. Under atmospheric conditions, such instability significantly affects dissipative processes in the air and forms the front of a nonlinear wave.