Propagation Of Shock Waves In Inhomogeneous Gases .1.

Chisnell's method of shock propagation is generalized for the case of inhomogeneous -gravitating gases. The relation between shock strength and initial pressure is derived to the first approximation, using polytropic index as parameter. The strength of a shock wave, which is generated near center and progresses outwards, increases rapidly, being proportional to some inverse power of pressure near the surface. Applying the results to the Eddington :model, some speculation concerning the origin of nova explosion is made.