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← ScienceWhich efficiency-limiting mechanism dominates when steam turbine blades reach supersonic speeds?
A)Shock wave formation and energy dissipation✓
B)Increased frictional losses in bearings
C)Enhanced heat transfer to the ambient
D)Reduced blade surface area due to erosion
💡 Explanation
When steam turbine blades reach supersonic speeds, shock waves form, compressing and rapidly dissipating energy through irreversible processes. Therefore, shock wave formation limits isentropic efficiency, rather than bearing friction, heat loss, or blade erosion, none of which relate directly to supersonic flow effects.
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