As a gas is forced through a tube, the gas molecules are deflected by the walls of the

tube. If the speed of the gas is much less than the speed of sound of the gas,
the density of the gas remains constant and the velocity of the flow increases. However,
as the speed of the flow approaches the speed of sound we must
consider compressibility effects on the gas. The density of the gas varies from one
location to the next. Considering flow through a tube, as shown in the figure, if the flow
is very gradually compressed (area decreases) and then gradually expanded (area
increases), the flow conditions return to their original values. We say that such a
process is reversible. From a consideration of the second law of thermodynamics, a
reversible flow maintains a constant value of entropy. Engineers call this type of flow
an isentropicflow; a combination of the Greek word "iso" (same) and entropy.
Isentropic flows occur when the change in flow variables is small and gradual, such as
the ideal flow through the nozzleshown above. The generation of sound waves is an
isentropic process. A supersonic flow that is turned while the flow area increases is also
isentropic. We call this an isentropic expansion because of the area increase. If a
supersonic flow is turned abruptly and the flow area decreases, shock waves are
generated and the flow is irreversible. The isentropic relations are no longer valid and
the flow is governed by the oblique or normal shock relations.
On this slide we have collected many of the important equations which describe an
isentropic flow. We begin with the definition of the Mach number since this
parameter appears in many of the isentropic flow equations. The Mach number Mis the
ratio of the speed of the flow v to the speed of sound a.
Eq #1:
M=v/a
The speed of sound, in turn, depends on the density r, the pressure, p,
the temperature, T, and the ratio of specific heatsgam:
Eq #2:
a = sqrt(gam * p / r) = sqrt (gam * R * T)
where R is the gas constant from the equations of state. If we begin with the entropy
equations for a gas, it can be shownthat the pressure and density of an isentropic flow
are related as follows:
Eq #3:
p / r^gam = constant

We can determine the value of the constant by defining total conditions to be the
pressure and density when the flow is brought to rest isentropically. The "t" subscript
used in many of these equations stands for "total conditions". (You probably already
have some idea of total conditions from experience with Bernoulli's equation).
Eq #3:
p / r^gam = constant = pt / rt^gam
Using the equation of state, we can easily derive the following relations from equation
(3):
Eq #4:
p / pt = (r / rt)^gam = (T / Tt)^[gam/(gam-1)]
The dynamic pressure q is defined to be:
Eq #5:
q = (r * v^2) / 2 = (gam * p * M^2) / 2
Using the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy and the definition of total
enthalpy in the flow, we can derive the following relations:
Eq #6:
p / pt = [1 + M^2 * (gam-1)/2]^-[gam/(gam-1)]
Eq #7:
T / Tt = [1 + M^2 * (gam-1)/2]^-1
Eq #8:
r / rt = [1 + M^2 * (gam-1)/2]^-[1/(gam-1)]
Then considering the compressible mass flow equation. we can derive:
Eq #9:

A / A* = {[1 + M^2 * (gam-1)/2]^[(gam+1)/(gam-1)/2]}*{[(gam+1)/2]^-[(gam+1)/(gam-1)/2]}

/M
The starred conditions occur when the flow is choked and the Mach number is equal to
one. Notice the important role that the Mach number plays in all the equations on the
right side of this slide. If the Mach number of the flow is determined, all of the other flow
relations can be determined. Similarly, determining any flow relation (pressure ratio for
example) will fix the Mach number and set all the other flow conditions.
Here is a Java program that solves the equations given on this slide.
Due to IT security concerns, many users are currently experiencing problems running NASA Glenn
educational applets. There are security settings that you can adjust that may correct this problem.

You select an input variable by using the choice button labeled Input Variable. Next to
the selection, you then type in the value of the selected variable. When you hit the
red COMPUTE button, the output values change. Some of the variables (like the area
ratio) are double valued. This means that for the same area ratio, there is a subsonic
and a supersonic solution. The choice button at the right top selects the solution that is
presented. The variable "Wcor/A" is the corrected airflow per unit area function which
can be derived from the compressible mass flow. This variable is only a function of the
Mach number of the flow. The Mach angle and Prandtl-Meyer angle are also functions
of the Mach number. These additional variables are used in the design of high speed
inlets, nozzles and ducts.