GATE AE 2025 • Q50 NAT • 2 Marks

Flight Mechanics & Space Dynamics

Dynamic Stability

Subtopic: Dutch Roll, Spiral & Roll Subsidence Modes

Question Statement:

A perfect gas flows through a frictionless constant-area duct with heat addition. The inlet conditions are as follows: pressure 100 kPa, density 1 kg/m3, and velocity 100 m/s. At a particular downstream location, the gas velocity is 200 m/s. The static pressure at the downstream location is ______ kPa (answer in integer).

Official Answer Key:

90.0

Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation

### **Detailed Step-by-Step Solution (GATE AE 2025 Q.50)** **1. Intuitive Physical Setup & Given Parameters**: Rayleigh flow (frictionless constant-area duct with heat addition): - Inlet conditions (Station 1): - Pressure: $p_1 = 100\text{ kPa}$ - Density: $\rho_1 = 1\text{ kg/m}^3$ - Velocity: $V_1 = 100\text{ m/s}$ - Downstream location (Station 2): - Velocity: $V_2 = 200\text{ m/s}$ We need to determine the downstream static pressure $p_2$ in $\text{kPa}$ (integer). **2. Step-by-Step 1D Gas Dynamic Derivation**: 1. **Conservation of Mass in Constant-Area Duct**: $\dot{m} = \rho_1 A V_1 = \rho_2 A V_2 \implies \rho_1 V_1 = \rho_2 V_2$ Mass flux: $G = \rho_1 V_1 = 1\text{ kg/m}^3 \times 100\text{ m/s} = 100\text{ kg/m}^2\cdot\text{s}$ 2. **Conservation of Linear Momentum (Rayleigh Line)**: In a frictionless constant-area duct with heat transfer, the momentum equation states that impulse function is strictly conserved: $p_1 + \rho_1 V_1^2 = p_2 + \rho_2 V_2^2$ 3. **Substitute Mass Flux $G = \rho V$**: $\rho_1 V_1^2 = G V_1 = 100 \times 100 = 10,000\text{ Pa} = 10\text{ kPa}$ $\rho_2 V_2^2 = G V_2 = 100 \times 200 = 20,000\text{ Pa} = 20\text{ kPa}$ 4. **Solve for $p_2$**: $p_1 + \rho_1 V_1^2 = p_2 + \rho_2 V_2^2$ $100\text{ kPa} + 10\text{ kPa} = p_2 + 20\text{ kPa}$ $110 = p_2 + 20 \implies p_2 = 110 - 20 = 90\text{ kPa}$ **3. Comprehensive Options & Distractor Analysis**: - **Evaluation Criteria**: Numerical Answer Type (NAT). - **Exact Analytical Result**: $p_2 = 90\text{ kPa}$. - **Rounding Requirement**: Nearest integer $\implies \mathbf{90}$. **4. Official Master Key & Exam Takeaway**: - **Official Answer Key**: **90.0** (Acceptable Range: **90 to 90**) - **Exam Takeaway**: Along any Rayleigh line, the total momentum flux $p + \rho V^2$ is conserved. Heat addition accelerates subsonic flow and reduces static pressure: $p_2 = p_1 - \rho_1 V_1(V_2 - V_1)$.

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