Choked flow occurs when the velocity at the throat reaches what value?

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Multiple Choice

Choked flow occurs when the velocity at the throat reaches what value?

Explanation:
In choked flow, the flow reaches sonic speed at the throat. That means the velocity there equals the local speed of sound for the gas under prevailing conditions (Mach number = 1 at the throat). When the throat velocity hits the speed of sound, further lowering downstream pressure cannot pull more mass through—the flow is limited by the throat’s sonic condition, and the maximum mass flow rate is set by upstream conditions and gas properties. So the correct value is the speed of sound at the prevailing conditions. The other options (speed of light, zero, or infinite) don’t describe the physical limit for compressible flow in a nozzle.

In choked flow, the flow reaches sonic speed at the throat. That means the velocity there equals the local speed of sound for the gas under prevailing conditions (Mach number = 1 at the throat). When the throat velocity hits the speed of sound, further lowering downstream pressure cannot pull more mass through—the flow is limited by the throat’s sonic condition, and the maximum mass flow rate is set by upstream conditions and gas properties. So the correct value is the speed of sound at the prevailing conditions. The other options (speed of light, zero, or infinite) don’t describe the physical limit for compressible flow in a nozzle.

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