A shock tube system is a device used to generate and study shock waves. It consists of a long tube filled with two different gases separated by a diaphragm. When the diaphragm is ruptured, a shock wave travels down the tube, allowing researchers to observe the effects of the wave on various materials and conditions. These systems are commonly used in fields like aerodynamics, explosives research, and material science. By analyzing the behavior of shock waves, scientists can gain insights into phenomena such as blast effects and impact dynamics, which are crucial for safety and engineering applications.