Riemann problem for non-ideal polytropic magnetogasdynamic flow

Abstract The main motive of the present paper is to derive the analytical solution of the Riemann problem for magnetogasdynamic equations governing an inviscid unsteady one-dimensional flow of non-ideal polytropic gas subjected to the transverse magnetic field with infinite electrical conductivity. By using the Lax entropy condition and R–H conditions, we derive the elementary wave solutions i.e. shock wave, simple wave and contact discontinuities without any restriction on the magnitude of initial data states and discussed about their properties. Further, the density and velocity distribution in the flow field for the cases of compressive wave and rarefaction wave is discussed. Here we also compare/contrast the nature of solution in non-ideal magnetogasdynamic flow and ideal gas flow.