Physics of Shock Waves and High Temperature Hydrodynamic Phenomena High temperatures elicit a variety of reactions in gases including increased molecular vibrations dissociation chemical reactions ionization and radiation of light. In addition to affecting the motion of the gas these processes can lead to changes of composition and electrical properties as well as optical phenomena.These and other processes of extreme conditions such as occur in explosions in supersonic flight in very strong electrical discharges and in other cases are the focus of this outstanding text by two leading physicists of the former Soviet Union. The authors deal tho