  The paper investigates shock-induced vortical flows within inhomogeneous
media of nonuniform thermodynamic properties. Numerical simulations are
performed using an Eularian type mathematical model for compressible
multi-component flow problems. The model, which accounts for pressure
non-equilibrium and applies different equations of state for individual flow
components, shows excellent capabilities for the resolution of interfaces
separating compressible fluids as well as for capturing the baroclinic source
of vorticity generation. The developed finite volume Godunov type computational
approach is equipped with an approximate Riemann solver for calculating fluxes
and handles numerically diffused zones at flow component interfaces. The
computations are performed for various initial conditions and are compared with
available experimental data. The initial conditions promoting a shock-bubble
interaction process include: weak to high planar shock waves with a Mach number
ranging from $1.2$ to $3$ and isolated cylindrical bubble inhomogeneities of
helium, argon, nitrogen, krypton and sulphur hexafluoride. The numerical
results reveal the characteristic features of the evolving flow topology. The
impulsively generated flow perturbations are dominated by the reflection and
refraction of the shock, the compression and acceleration as well as the
vorticity generation within the medium. The study is further extended to
investigate the influence of the ratio of the heat capacities on the interface
deformation.
