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Reference.org
de Laval nozzle
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<p>A de Laval nozzle (or convergent-divergent nozzle, CD nozzle or con-di nozzle) is a tube which is pinched in the middle, with a rapid convergence and gradual divergence. It is used to accelerate a compressible fluid to supersonic speeds in the axial (thrust) direction, by converting the thermal energy of the flow into <a href="/facts/Kinetic_energy/aJRxUd4p">kinetic energy</a>. De Laval nozzles are widely used in some types of <a href="/facts/Steam_turbines/scacVXsB">steam turbines</a> and <a href="/facts/Rocket_engine_nozzle/K4kHCmFX">rocket engine nozzles</a>. It also sees use in supersonic <a href="/facts/Jet_engines/CJjFpeqt">jet engines</a>. </p><p>Similar flow properties have been applied to <a href="/facts/Jet_(fluid)/Ebx8zVKY">jet streams</a> within <a href="/facts/Astrophysics/krFPRWLA">astrophysics</a>. </p>