Longitudinal friction and intermediate Mach number collisionless transverse magnetosonic shocks

It is shown that for collisionless transverse magnetosonic shocks, there exists an intermediate range of Mach numbers between the maximum Mach number for transverse resistivity and the onset of significant ion reflection. In this intermediate range, the structure is dominated by a breakdown of the quasineutrality approximation, and longitudinal friction is a simple fluid model for the dissipation mechanism which forms the shock. Applications are discussed for laboratory shocks as well as the Earth’s bow shock.