Editing Venturi effect (section)

=== Choked flow ===
The limiting case of the Venturi effect is when a fluid reaches the state of [[choked flow]], where the [[fluid velocity]] approaches the local [[speed of sound]] of the fluid. When a fluid system is in a state of choked flow, a further decrease in the downstream pressure environment will not lead to an increase in velocity, unless the fluid is compressed.

The [[mass flow rate]] for a compressible fluid will increase with increased upstream pressure, which will increase the density of the fluid through the constriction (though the velocity will remain constant).  This is the principle of operation of a [[de Laval nozzle]]. Increasing source temperature will also increase the local sonic velocity, thus allowing increased mass flow rate, but only if the nozzle area is also increased to compensate for the resulting decrease in density.