_______ flow is a compressible fluid flow whereby the flow remains at the same temperature while flowing in a conduit.

_______ flow is a compressible fluid flow whereby the flow remains at the same temperature while flowing in a conduit.

• A. Isothermal
• B. Adiabatic
• C. Turbulent
• D. Laminar

Answer: (A)

Isothermal flow describes a compressible fluid moving through a conduit while its temperature stays constant. This requires heat transfer with the surroundings to offset any heating from compression or cooling from expansion, so the temperature remains unchanged along the flow path. Adiabatic flow, by contrast, involves no heat transfer, so temperature changes as the gas is compressed or expanded. Turbulent and laminar describe how the fluid moves—whether the flow is chaotic or smooth—not how its temperature behaves—so they don’t capture the constant-temperature condition. Hence isothermal flow is the correct description.

Isothermal flow describes a compressible fluid moving through a conduit while its temperature stays constant. This requires heat transfer with the surroundings to offset any heating from compression or cooling from expansion, so the temperature remains unchanged along the flow path.

Adiabatic flow, by contrast, involves no heat transfer, so temperature changes as the gas is compressed or expanded. Turbulent and laminar describe how the fluid moves—whether the flow is chaotic or smooth—not how its temperature behaves—so they don’t capture the constant-temperature condition. Hence isothermal flow is the correct description.