Isothermal shock (${\rho }_2/{\rho }_1={\mathcal{M}}_1^2$)

An isothermal shock joins two states at the same temperature and isothermal sound speed. Mass and momentum conservation imply $u_1{u}_2=c_s^2$ for a nontrivial planar jump, so the compression ratio is the upstream isothermal Mach number squared. Heat exchange replaces adiabatic energy conservation across the gas alone.

The specific enthalpy is equal on both sides of an isothermal perfect-gas shock. The energy removed per unit area per unit time is $j(u_1^2-u_2^2)/2$, with $j>0$ the normal mass flux. Net cooling therefore selects compression shocks; an expansion jump requires heating.