Overexpanding nozzle

If the pressure at the end of the nozzle is smaller than the pressure of the surroundings (which occurs in the case of a so-called overexpanding nozzle), the pressure term then has a negative value and reduces the total thrust. Therefore, a pressure... 

Equation (6-128) does not require fric tionless (isentropic) flow. The sonic mass flux through the throat is given by Eq. (6-122). With A set equal to the nozzle exit area, the exit Mach number, pressure, and temperature may be calculated. Only if the exit pressure equals the ambient discharge pressure is the ultimate expansion velocity reached in the nozzle. Expansion will be incomplete if the exit pressure exceeds the ambient discharge pressure shocks will occur outside the nozzle. If the calculated exit pressure is less than the ambient discharge pressure, the nozzle is overexpanded and compression shocks within the expanding portion will result. 

A comparison of the theoretical exit pressure for an isentropic nozzle with the level of the ambient back pressure. For isentropic exit pressures below the ambient, the flow is overexpanded for... 

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