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For the isothermal equation of state, $p=c_s^2\rho$, with constant isothermal sound speed $c_s$. A nonzero steady plane-parallel flow has constant mass flux $\rho u=j$. Choose the positive flow direction for convenience. The continuity equation then gives ${\rho }^{\prime }/\rho =-u^{\prime }/u$, and the steady Euler momentum equation becomesIntegrating and absorbing the reference velocity into the constant yields, for the Mach number $\mathcal{M}=u/c_s$,For the opposite flow direction use $\mathcal{M}=|u|/c_s$; the same relation holds.

A smooth sonic point has $u=c_s$, so its momentum equation requires ${\Phi }^{\prime }=0$. Moreover $f(\mathcal{M})={\mathcal{M}}^2/2-\ln \mathcal{M}$ satisfies $f^{\prime }(1)=0$, $f^{\prime \prime }(1)=2$ and has its minimum $f(1)=1/2$. Thus, if the flow reaches $\mathcal{M}=1$ at $x_{\ast }$,A sonic crossing is therefore possible at a maximum of the potential, withAt a nondegenerate maximum, the expansions give $(\mathcal{M}-1{)}^2=-{\Phi }^{\prime \prime }(x_{\ast })(x-x_{\ast }{)}^2/(2c_s^2)+\cdots$. Choosing either smooth sign gives a crossing slope ${\mathcal{M}}^{\prime }(x_{\ast })=\pm \sqrt{-{\Phi }^{\prime \prime }(x_{\ast })/(2c_s^2)}$, joining a subsonic flow to a supersonic flow, or the reverse. This establishes the plane-parallel isothermal sonic transition at a potential maximum. For a globally defined crossing, the same maximum must also be high enough for the Bernoulli relation to remain real over the intended domain.

Write the inward radial velocity as $u_R=-v(R)$, with $v>0$. Steady spherical mass conservation and the radial Euler equations for an inviscid fluid giveFor a barotropic fluid, define the sound speed $c_s^2=dp/d\rho >0$ and the barotropic enthalpy function by $dh=dp/\rho$. Choosing $\Phi (\infty )=0$, integration gives the Bernoulli equationThe continuity equation gives ${\rho }^{\prime }/\rho =-2/R-v^{\prime }/v$. Eliminating mass density from the momentum equation produces the barotropic spherical accretion equationThe sonic point is where the inward Mach number $v/c_s$ equals one. A smooth solution cannot cross the vanishing coefficient on the left with a nonzero right-hand side, so a regular sonic radius must obeyConversely a continuous flow that is subsonic at infinity and supersonic inward must cross unit Mach number; smooth passage selects a simultaneous zero of the two sides, hence a regular sonic point. The associated critical accretion branch, rather than an arbitrary subsonic solution with smaller flux, is selected by these outer and inner requirements.

For the polytropic equation of state, set $\Gamma =1+1/m$ to distinguish its exponent from any separately specified perturbation exponent. Assume $K>0$ and first take the usual positive index $m>0$. ThenFor the attractive mixed potential, assume $\lambda ,\mu >0$. The sonic condition and Bernoulli equation giveHence polytropic accretion in a mixed inverse-power potential reduces toFor $0<m\le 1/2$ all nonzero coefficients in the left side are nonnegative for $R_s>0$, with at least one strictly positive: there is no finite positive root. For $m>1/2$ the constant term is negative and the leading coefficient positive, giving exactly one positive root. Define $B=(2m-3)\mu /4$ and $C=(2m-1)\lambda /2$. ThenThis is the finite-radius transonic range for the two positive attractive terms.

The critical point has real distinct crossing slopes. To check this rather than just solve the sonic equalities, put $U=\lambda /R_s^2$, $V=\mu /(2R_s)$ and $x=R_s{v}_s^{\prime }/v_s$. Differentiating the barotropic spherical accretion equation at its simultaneous zero givesIts discriminant is $8m[2(2m-1)U+(2m-3)V]/(U+V)$. The sonic Bernoulli equation says $(2m-1)U+(2m-3)V=2m{c}_{\infty }^2$, so this discriminant is strictly positive for $m>1/2$. The accretion crossing is the slope for which $d\log (v/c_s)/d\log R<0$, namely the smaller root. The two slopes have opposite signs of this Mach-number derivative. This is the regular transonic saddle, not a singular vertical tangent.

The corresponding mass accretion rate follows without an additional arbitrary mass density normalization:One may equivalently replace ${\rho }_s$ by $[c_{s,s}^2/(\Gamma K){]}^m$. With a nonzero $\lambda$ term, inner free fall has $v\sim \sqrt{2\lambda }/R$ and continuity gives $\rho \propto R^{-1}$. Thus $v^2/c_s^2\propto R^{-2+1/m}$ increases without bound precisely in the positive-index range $m>1/2$, consistent with the required inner supersonic branch.

The assumptions on the parameters matter. If $\lambda =0$ and $\mu >0$, the finite sonic radius instead requires $m>3/2$, the usual Bondi accretion range; $m=3/2$ is the zero-radius limiting critical case. If $\mu =0$ and $\lambda >0$, the condition remains $m>1/2$. With arbitrary signs of $\lambda ,\mu$, one must use the quadratic and retain only positive roots with $c_{s,s}^2>0$ and real admissible crossing slopes; attraction was not explicitly given as a sign condition in the source.

If positive polytropic index was not intended as an implicit physical convention, there is a further mathematical range. For $K>0$, positive compressibility also permits $m<-1$, giving $0<\Gamma <1$. Both potential terms attractive then give a positive sonic root as well:The same mass accretion rate formula applies; its crossing-slope discriminant is positive. The range $-1<m<0$ has $c_s^2<0$ and no physical acoustic sonic point, $m=-1$ has constant pressure and zero sound speed, and $m=0$ does not define the printed equation of state. Thus the usual answer $m>1/2$ assumes $m>0$ and positive attractive coefficients; these conventions should not be confused with additional printed restrictions.

Let the fluid approach a uniform, quiescent state $({\rho }_0,p_0,c_0)$ at infinity. Use the outward unit normal vector $N=\nabla f/|\nabla f|$, pointing from the object into the fluid. Write $H=H(f)$ for the Heaviside step function, $q=\rho -{\rho }_0$, and ${\delta }_S=\delta (f)|\nabla f|$. With the viscous stress tensor ${\tau }_{ij}$, defineThus $T_{ij}$ is the Lighthill stress tensor, and $L_i$ is the surface loading exerted on the fluid. The total force on the object has the opposite sign. Extend $q$ by zero inside the object. Since the boundary is fixed and impermeable, $u\cdot N=0$, and the distributional mass conservation and momentum conservation equations areFor example, the surface contribution to the momentum equation is $(\rho u_i{u}_j+P_{ij})N_j{\delta }_S=L_i{\delta }_S$. Differentiating the first equation in time and subtracting the divergence of the second gives the fixed-body Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation:There is no acoustic thickness noise: a fixed impermeable boundary injects no mass. Apply the retarded acoustic Green function $\delta (t-R/c_0)/(4\pi c_0^{2}R)$, where $R=|x-y|$. The supplied surface-delta identity converts the loading term to a surface integral. For an exterior observer, the required integral equation isThis acoustic analogy is an exact rearrangement of the fluid equations; source approximations enter later. In the distant linear acoustic region, $p^{\prime }=c_0^{2}q$.

The acoustic far field requires observer distance $r$ much larger than the source extent $\ell$ and $k_{0}r\gg 1$, so derivatives of the retarded phase dominate derivatives of $1/R$. The acoustic compact-source approximation requires $k_0\ell \ll 1$, so the source's differential propagation delays can be neglected. These conditions concern different lengths and neither implies the other. Put $n=x/r$, $t_r=t-r/c_0$, and define the loading and stress momentsThe leading compact acoustic far field isThe surface term is an acoustic dipole; the volume term is an acoustic quadrupole. The plus sign of the loading term follows from the minus sign of its spatial divergence and the derivative of retarded time.

For the power comparison, assume low Mach number $M=U/c_0$, high Reynolds number, eddy size $\ell$, characteristic time $\tau =\ell /U$, and stress magnitude ${\rho }_0{U}^2$. Keep the prescribed turbulent region and its leading volume stress comparable when inserting the object; neglect changes of source statistics and exceptional cancellations of the leading moments. Compactness follows from $\ell /(c_0\tau )=M\ll 1$. Since $Q\sim {\rho }_0{U}^2{\ell }^3$ and the outgoing acoustic intensity is $⟨p^{\prime 2}⟩/({\rho }_0{c}_0)$, the volume power isIf the object's size is comparable to $\ell$ and its fluctuating resultant loading is $F\sim {\rho }_0{U}^2{\ell }^2$, thenAngular factors and dimensionless loading coefficients have been omitted. The acoustic dipole and acoustic quadrupole interference vanishes in the leading power integrated over a full sphere, by odd angular parity; individual directions can show interference.

A size threshold also requires a loading model. For a small nonseparating object of size $a\ll \ell$ in an approximately inviscid, smoothly varying incident eddy, a spatially uniform pressure has zero resultant on its closed surface. The first surviving loading is the pressure-gradient or added mass force, $F\sim {\rho }_0{a}^{3}U/\tau ={\rho }_0{U}^2{a}^3/\ell$. Under these explicitly stated assumptions,The two mechanisms become comparable at $a\sim \ell M^{1/3}$; for smaller objects the cases with and without the object have the same leading order of power. This is the small-body loading-noise threshold. It is not a geometry-independent size law: a separated drag force $F\sim {\rho }_0{U}^2{a}^2$ fluctuating on the original eddy time instead gives ${\mathcal{P}}_D/{\mathcal{P}}_Q\sim (a/\ell {)}^4/M^2$ and $a\sim \ell \sqrt{M}$. If both force and time are set by body-scale eddies, $\tau =a/U$, their loading power is ${\rho }_0{U}^6{a}^2/c_0^3$ and comparison with the original volume source gives $a\sim M\ell$. Each estimate states which source time and force it uses.

The physical distinction is momentum conservation. Unforced turbulence in a fluid supplies internal stresses, whose net-force contribution cancels and leaves acoustic quadrupole radiation. The supported object exchanges momentum with the fluid and the external support, permitting a time-dependent resultant force and acoustic dipole radiation. One fewer retarded derivative makes the loading radiation more efficient at low Mach number.

In the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation, the other source types are a surface acoustic monopole associated with acoustic thickness noise, and a volume acoustic quadrupole involving the Lighthill stress tensor. On an impermeable material surface, fluid and surface normal velocities agree. There is no through-surface mass-flux source; the remaining thickness source is $Q={\rho }_0{v}_n$. For a rigid body, the leading acoustic compact-source approximation to that source hasThus there is no leading net-volume acoustic monopole. To neglect thickness radiation beyond that leading cancellation, assume negligible volume displacement, as for ideal thin blades, or that its higher multipoles are small compared with the retained acoustic loading noise. Rigidity alone does not make a moving finite-volume body's local thickness source identically zero.

The volume acoustic quadrupole may be neglected for low Mach number motion when exterior turbulent or nonlinear stresses do not provide a competing strong source. We also assume small linear acoustics perturbations, a uniform reference sound speed, and negligible relevant viscous and entropy sources. These are source-strength approximations, particularly important if a loading contribution itself cancels by symmetry. Under them, the retained acoustic dipole is the force exerted by the object on the fluid, with the sign used in the previous solution.

Let $R=|x|$, $n=x/R$, and ${\tau }_0=t-R/c_0$. In the acoustic far field, $R$ is large compared with the object and $\omega R/c_0\gg 1$. For a source of size $\ell$ with $\omega \ell /c_0\ll 1$ and small surface Mach number, source-dependent delays and the Doppler factor can be neglected to leading order. The surface integral then contains just the total force $\mathcal{F}(\tau )={\int }_{S}FdS$. Differentiating its retarded time, rather than its $R^{-1}$ spreading factor, gives the radiating termThe sign follows from ${\partial }_{x_i}{\tau }_0=-n_i/c_0$. Differentiating $R^{-1}$ or the direction $n$ instead produces the lower-order near field. A constant total force does not radiate at this leading compact order.

The rotation introduces angular frequency $\Omega$ and, after combining the two blades, harmonics such as $2\Omega$. The acoustic compact-source approximation requires the propagation time $a/c_0$ to be small compared with ${\Omega }^{-1}$. ThusIt also bounds every blade element's Mach number by $\mu$. Consequently $|1-M_r|=1+O(\mu )$, and its leading value is one. The separate acoustic far field condition is $\Omega R/c_0\gg 1$.

Choose the positive rotation sense so that a first blade at phase $\alpha$ has radial and tangential unit vectorsIntegrating the given line force from $r=0$ to $a$ yields ${\mathcal{F}}_1=F{e}_{\varphi }(\Omega \tau )+D{e}_x$. Its axial component is constant, while ${\dot{\mathcal{F}}}_1=-F\Omega e_r$. Since $n=\cos \theta e_x+\sin \theta e_y$, the compact acoustic dipole sound from this blade isThe other blade has phase $\alpha +\pi$ and contributes the opposite rotating force. At a common compact retarded time, their total force is $2D{e}_x$, soThis cancellation calls for the next source-delay correction; it does not mean that the complete moving-source field vanishes.

At a finite smooth sonic point $r_{\ast }$, the equation from (a) requiresSet $\delta =\gamma -1$ and $q=2/\beta -1/2$. Substitution into the Bernoulli function givesAn inflow from a warm reservoir at infinity has $\mathcal{B}=c_{\infty }^2/\delta >0$; an outflow reaching infinity has $\mathcal{B}=u_{\infty }^2/2+c_{\infty }^2/\delta \ge 0$. Therefore a nondegenerate transonic spherical flow in a power-law potential requiresFor the usual range $0<\beta <4$, the critical adiabatic exponent for spherical power-law flow is consequentlyThe printed assumption $\beta >0$ also permits $\beta \ge 4$. In that range the boxed inequality holds for every finite $\gamma >1$: there is no finite upper bound. Equivalently, take $f(\beta )=+\infty$ for $\beta \ge 4$. Extending the rational expression beyond $\beta =4$ would give an incorrect restriction.

The strict inequality also follows from local sonic-point slope discriminant analysis, including the potentially cold zero-energy endpoint. Put $X=(r_{\ast }/u_{\ast })u_{\ast }^{\prime }$. Since mass conservation implies $(c^2{)}^{\prime }/c^2=-\delta (u^{\prime }/u+2/r)$, differentiating the sonic point equation at $r_{\ast }$ yieldsIts discriminant is $8[2\beta -(4-\beta )\delta ]$. Moreover, the logarithmic Mach number derivative at the sonic point isA genuine crossing has two distinct branches and a nonzero derivative. At equality the crossing degenerates. In particular, for $\gamma =f(\beta )$ and $\mathcal{B}=0$, mass conservation and the polytropic equation of state make the Mach number constant along the scale-invariant solution; a solution that is sonic there is sonic everywhere, rather than crossing an isolated sonic point.

Use complex amplitudes with time dependence $e^{i\omega t}$, so the outgoing two-dimensional Helmholtz equation kernel has phase $e^{-i{k}_{0}r}$. Dividing the harmonic form of Lighthill acoustic analogy by $c_0^2$ and integrating the two source derivatives by parts gives an amplitude proportional toOnly the magnitude is needed here; the specified kernel omits its constant phase and normalization. In the acoustic compact-source approximation, $\int {\tilde{T}}_{ij}{d}^{2}y=O({\rho }_0{U}^2{\ell }^2)$. With $\omega =O(U/\ell )$, hence $k_0\ell =O(m)$, the two-dimensional compact quadrupole scaling isThe half-power difference from three dimensions comes from cylindrical spreading, including its $k_0^{-1/2}$ factor. As in part (i), the Mach number power is stated with the geometrical range factor separated; $k_{0}r\gg 1$ is still required.

Let $r=|\mathbf{x}|$, $n_i=x_i/r$, and let the source have size $\ell$. The retarded acoustic Green function gives the outgoing solution of Lighthill acoustic analogy asThis follows by integrating the source derivatives by parts in the retarded convolution. Assume the source is localized and the boundary terms vanish. In the acoustic compact-source approximation, $k_0\ell \ll 1$, the retardation across the source can be neglected, while $r\gg \ell$ permits replacement of the denominator by $r$. The integral becomes $S_{ij}(t-r/c_0)/r$.

In the radiation region $k_{0}r\gg 1$, derivatives of the retarded argument dominate derivatives of the spreading factor. Since ${\partial }_{x_i}(t-r/c_0)=-n_i/c_0$, the leading acoustic quadrupole field isThe two negative retardation derivatives give a positive sign. This is a far-field approximation, with smaller near-field terms omitted.

For low-Mach number aerodynamic fluctuations of speed $U$ and advective time $\ell /U$, take $T_{ij}=O({\rho }_0{U}^2)$, $S_{ij}=O({\rho }_0{U}^2{\ell }^3)$, and two time derivatives of order $(U/\ell {)}^2$. ThereforeThe quoted fourth power is the compact acoustic quadrupole Mach-number scaling, with geometric spreading shown explicitly. It assumes the source strength and time scale just stated; the source must be acoustically compact, and the observation point must remain in the radiation region.

Apply the moving-interface conservation jump identity first to mass, then to each momentum component. Write $j_i=\rho u_i$ and ${\Pi }_{ij}=\rho u_i{u}_j+p{\delta }_{ij}-{\sigma }_{ij}$, with all quantities understood piecewise on the two sides. Define the jumps of flux relative to the moving shock wave byThe global distributional conservation equations areDifferentiate the first in time and subtract the divergence of the second. With ${\rho }^{\prime }=\rho -{\rho }_0$ and the piecewise Lighthill stress tensor $T_{ij}=\rho u_i{u}_j+(p^{\prime }-c_0^2{\rho }^{\prime }){\delta }_{ij}-{\sigma }_{ij}$, this givesDerivatives act on the complete distributions, including their moving support. The acoustic quadrupole term represents momentum-stress fluctuations throughout the volume. The time derivative of the surface mass-flux defect is an acoustic monopole, representing injection or removal of mass/volume. The divergence of the surface momentum-flux defect is an acoustic dipole, representing a force sheet. This is the distributional acoustic analogy across a moving interface.

For an actual freely propagating fluid shock wave with no singular mass or momentum supply, the Rankine-Hugoniot conditions give $Q=0$ and $L_i=0$. Such a shock does not acquire independent monopole and force-sheet sources merely because it is discontinuous. Its effects remain in the distributional derivatives of $T_{ij}$, including singular derivatives of its jump. Nonzero surface sources are appropriate for an interface with exchange/forcing or for a formulation that omits one side of the fluid.

A shock does not, by itself, justify retaining the $m^4$ scaling. That estimate required a low-Mach number stress $O({\rho }_0{U}^2)$ varying on the slow time $\ell /U$. Fast shock motion, short time scales, or thermodynamic deviations can invalidate that estimate. If these same compact, slow-source assumptions remain valid for the integrated Lighthill stress tensor, its quadrupole estimate still follows, even distributionally. There is no universal replacement power deducible from the mere presence of a shock; nor should vanished physical flux defects be treated as additional independent radiation sources.

Use the Fourier transform convention $\hat{p}(k,y)={\int }_{\mathbb{R}}{e}^{ikx}p(x,y)dx$. Let $\gamma (k{)}^2=k^2-k_0^2$, choosing $\mathrm{Re}\gamma >0$ on the real contour with $\mathrm{Im}\omega <0$. For time dependence $e^{i\omega t}$, this is the decaying continuation of the outgoing Sommerfeld radiation condition.

The transformed Helmholtz equation has upper and lower solutions $P(k)e^{-\gamma y}$ and $Q(k)e^{\gamma y}$. The two kinematic traces give $-\gamma P={\rho }_0{\omega }^2\hat{\eta }=\gamma Q$, henceThe elastic membrane equation gives $[\hat{p}]=(m{\omega }^2-T{k}^2)\hat{\eta }$. Therefore the acoustic wave on a tensioned massive membrane has dispersion relationEquivalently, $T{k}^2={\omega }^2(m+2{\rho }_0/\gamma )$. The fluid on both sides supplies a positive added mass of an evanescent fluid layer, which is a useful independent check on the sign. In particular, the incident pressure isThe symbol $m$ here denotes elastic membrane mass per area, rather than the fluctuating Mach number used in Question 1.

Let $e$ be specific internal energy, $Q$ the heat supplied per unit volume per unit time, and $E=\rho (e+|\mathbf{u}{|}^2/2)$. For an inviscid perfect gas in a prescribed Newtonian gravitational potential $\Phi$, the fluid total-energy equation isThere is no gravitational term if no external body is present. For a time-independent $\Phi$, adding potential energy gives the equivalent conservative form ${\partial }_t(E+\rho \Phi )+\nabla \cdot [(E+p+\rho \Phi )\mathbf{u}]=Q$. Subtracting the kinetic-energy equation and using mass conservation givesFor a perfect gas with constant specific-heat ratio $\gamma$, $e=p/[(\gamma -1)\rho ]$. The isothermal equation of state therefore makes $e=c_s^2/(\gamma -1)$ constant. Hence the required heat supply and heat loss areCompression requires cooling; expansion requires heating. The isothermal sound speed $c_s$ differs from the adiabatic sound speed $\sqrt{\gamma }{c}_s$.

Define the isothermal Mach numbers by ${\mathcal{M}}_i=u_i/c_s$. Orient the normal to a stationary isothermal shock along the flow, so the mass flux $j={\rho }_1{u}_1={\rho }_2{u}_2>0$. Tangential velocity is continuous for this planar hydrodynamic shock. Normal momentum conservation givesFor a genuine discontinuity $u_1\ne u_2$, factorization gives $u_1{u}_2=c_s^2$. Thus the isothermal shock jump relations areAcross a thin shock, gravitational potential and tangential kinetic energy are unchanged. The specific enthalpy $h=\gamma c_s^2/(\gamma -1)$ is the same on both sides, so the energy removed per unit area per unit time isPositive net cooling requires $u_1>u_2$, equivalently ${\rho }_2>{\rho }_1$ and ${\mathcal{M}}_1>1>{\mathcal{M}}_2$. Cooling across an isothermal shock permits only compression shocks; the formal expansion discontinuity requires energy supplied by the surroundings. The continuous state $u_1=u_2$ is not a shock.

For steady radial flow, mass conservation gives $r^2\rho u_r=\text{constant}$. Differentiating it and eliminating the mass density gradient from radial momentum balance givesA regular sonic point has $|u_r|=c_s$, so the right-hand side must vanish there as well. ThereforeThis is the Bondi sonic point for accretion; the same critical radius appears in an isothermal Parker wind. A general steady solution need not pass through a sonic point, but a smooth transonic one must obey both critical conditions.

Put $x=r/r_s$ and $\mathcal{M}=|u_r|/c_s$ on a branch whose flow direction is fixed. The radial equation becomesIntegrating yields the integrated isothermal Bondi flow relation:For a transonic branch, $x=\mathcal{M}=1$ gives $C=-3/2$. Expansion about the critical point gives $(\mathcal{M}-1{)}^2=(x-1{)}^2+O((x-1{)}^3)$, with slope $-1$ for inflow supplied by gas at rest at infinity and slope $+1$ for a transonic outflow.

For Isothermal Bondi accretion, integrate radial momentum balance once more, using $u_r\to 0$ and $\rho \to {\rho }_{\infty }$ at infinity:At the Bondi sonic point, $GM/r_s=2c_s^2$ and $u_r^2=c_s^2$, so ${\rho }_s=e^{3/2}{\rho }_{\infty }$. The positive inward isothermal Bondi accretion rate is consequentlyThe critical mass density and rate are fixed by the regular transonic solution and the specified reservoir at infinity; an arbitrary subsonic solution does not share this accretion rate.

Use $v=|u_r|>0$ for the radial speed and distinguish the central mass $M$ from the Mach number $\mathcal{M}=v/c$. In each smooth nonzero-flow region, mass conservation, the adiabatic equation of state, and the Bernoulli equation giveHere $K>0$ is constant on a smooth isentropic flow branch, $c$ is the adiabatic sound speed, and $\mathcal{E}$ is the Bernoulli function. Either sign of $u_r$ is possible. The positive-radius nondimensionalization in the question requires $\mathcal{E}>0$; flows with $\mathcal{E}\le 0$ do not have these positive $r_s,x,\lambda$ and require another scaling.

Indeed, the supplied adiabatic process equations give $D(p{\rho }^{-3/2})/Dt=0$, so $K$ is spatially constant along a steady nonzero radial fluid flow. The adiabatic sound speed is $c^2=(\partial p/\partial \rho {)}_s$, and the specific enthalpy is $h=c^2/(\gamma -1)=2c^2$. The radial Euler momentum equation, $vdv/dr=-{\rho }^{-1}dp/dr-GM/r^2$, integrates to $\mathcal{E}$ because $dh=dp/\rho$ on this isentropic flow branch.

Put $D=[j(3K/2{)}^2{]}^{2/5}$. Eliminating the mass density from the continuity equation givesWith $y={\mathcal{M}}^{2/5}$, the Bernoulli equation becomesTherefore the physical constants of the spherical polytropic flow with adiabatic exponent three halves are

For $t>0$, $F^{\prime }(t)=4(t^5-1)/t^2$, so $F$ decreases from infinity to its unique minimum $F(1)=5$, then increases to infinity. This completely determines the algebraic curves. For $0<\lambda <1$, there are two disconnected branches at every $x>0$, one subsonic flow with $y<1$ and one supersonic flow with $y>1$. For $\lambda =1$, the line $y=x$ and a decreasing branch meet at $(1,1)$. Their slopes are $+1$ and $-1$, since the leading expansion is $F(1+\eta )=5+10{\eta }^2+O({\eta }^3)$. For $\lambda >1$, solutions exist only where $F(x)\ge 5\lambda$: if $x_{-}<1<x_{+}$ solve $F(x_{\pm })=5\lambda$, there is a forbidden interval $x_{-}<x<x_{+}$. At either endpoint the two branches turn at $y=1$ and have an infinite slope.

A smooth sonic point needs $F^{\prime }(x)=F^{\prime }(y)=0$; hence a regular sonic transition requires $\lambda =1$ and $r=r_s$. The critical speed of a polytropic flow is then $c_s^2=GM/(2r_s)=2\mathcal{E}$, and the allowed mass flux is $j=(2\mathcal{E}{)}^{5/2}{r}_s^2/(3K/2{)}^2$. Here the subscript on $c_s$ denotes evaluation at the sonic point, rather than the isothermal sound speed convention used in the next solution.

The simple transonic branch is $y=x$. Direct substitution givesThus the radial velocity has constant magnitude, while the mass density and pressure scale as $r^{-2}$ and $r^{-3}$. For an outward fluid flow, this is a subsonic flow becoming a supersonic flow as its adiabatic sound speed decreases.