When air flows through a divergent nozzle in a supersonic state, what occurs to the pressure?

When air flows through a divergent nozzle in a supersonic state, the pressure decreases due to the conversion of thermal energy and kinetic energy within the airflow. In the context of fluid dynamics, as a fluid accelerates through a nozzle, it experiences changes in velocity and pressure. In supersonic conditions, the air expands as it moves through the divergent section, leading to a lowering of pressure.

When air is supersonic, the flow behavior follows the principles of compressible fluid dynamics. As the air expands in the divergent section, its velocity increases, and according to Bernoulli’s principle in compressible flow, this results in a corresponding decrease in static pressure. This phenomenon is crucial for the operation of supersonic aircraft and is a key principle in the design of nozzles, ensuring efficient thrust and stable supersonic flow.

In summary, through a supersonic divergent nozzle, the dynamics of airflow dictate that as velocity increases, the static pressure must decrease, making this choice accurate.