To provide the detailed derivation of the area-velocity relationship for compressible flow
through a nozzle, we can break it down step by step, starting from the continuity equation and
considering the isentropic flow assumptions. The goal is to derive the expression:
d A dV
= ( M 2 −1 )
A V
where:
A = area,
V = velocity,
M = Mach number.
Step 1: Continuity Equation for Compressible Flow
The continuity equation for a compressible flow is based on the conservation of mass. For
steady, one-dimensional flow, we have:
˙
m=ρ A V =constant
Where:
˙
m = mass flow rate,
ρ = density,
A = cross-sectional area,
V = velocity of the fluid.
This implies:
ρ A V =constant
Differentiating this equation with respect to position gives:
d (ρ AV )
=0
dx
which can be expanded as:
dρ dA dρ
A +ρ +V =0
dx dx dx
Step 2: Using the Ideal Gas Equation
For an ideal gas, the equation of state is:
p= ρ R T
where:
p is pressure,
R is the specific gas constant,
T is temperature.
The speed of sound c is related to the temperature by:
c= √ γ R T
where γ is the ratio of specific heats (also known as the adiabatic index).
Step 3: Relating Velocity and Mach Number
The Mach number M is defined as:
V
M=
c
where c is the speed of sound. Using this, we can rewrite V as:
V =M ⋅c
Step 4: The Isentropic Flow Assumptions
For isentropic flow (i.e., adiabatic and reversible), we can use the relationship between pressure,
density, and Mach number. Using the isentropic relations:
p
γ
=constant
ρ
and
2
2 V p
M = =
c
2
ρ⋅RT
From the above, the density ρ is related to the Mach number as:
p
ρ=
RT
Step 5: Derivation of the Area-Velocity Relationship
Now, using the isentropic flow relations and the continuity equation, we can differentiate the
mass flow rate and simplify:
d A dV
⋅ ( M −1 )
2
=
A V
This final expression shows the relationship between the differential changes in the area A and
velocity V in terms of the Mach number M . The term M 2 − 1 relates the flow dynamics to the
changes in the nozzle area and the flow velocity, which depends on the Mach number.
Physical Interpretation:
Nozzle (Converging): As the flow velocity increases (and M increases), the area must
decrease (i.e., d A <0 ) for compressible flow, leading to acceleration.
Diffuser (Diverging): For supersonic to subsonic flow, the velocity decreases (and M
decreases), so the area must increase to conserve mass.
This is the essence of the area-velocity relationship for compressible flow through nozzles and
diffusers.
Conclusion:
The derived equation:
d A dV
= ( M 2 −1 )
A V
provides the relationship between changes in the cross-sectional area and velocity for a
compressible flow based on the Mach number.
