n smikle wrote:Air is compressible. Full stop.
IT depends on what systems you are studying if you want to assume that it is incompressible.
It is correct to say "Lets assume that air is incompressible."
But air is very compressible, some systems the air is not compressed much at all so some people ignore it.
In the case of the exhaust gasses now... You have to work out whether you can ignore it or not.
What speed and temperature does the air leave the exhaust pipe?
My original statement was: free flow of gases are considered incompressible al low speeds. Air as such is very very compressible. If you have some spare time to go and take a look at quasars, even iron and titanium are very compressible
No experimental data, but quick math (2.4ltr * 18000 /60 /4) gives us for current F1 engine 180 ltr/s at intake, and assuming 300K ambient and 900K after combustion 300 ltr/s to each of pipes after expansion. Assuming
incompressibility and pipe with cross-sectional area of 0,00785m^2 (round, 10 cm diameter), it will be about 38 m/s (137 kmh). If the actual temp after combustion is higher, it will be more.