Compressible Flow: Nozzles and Diffusers

In this chapter we study the laws that govern the transition from sub-to supersonic flow and vice-versa, and draw relevant conclusions for the design of nozzles and diffusers, and for rocket motors. We will see that subsonic nozzles have a converging cross section, while supersonic nozzles have a convergingdiverging cross section. This behavior is important for the design of devices and engines, such as rockets, ramjet and scramjet engines.