An axial-flow compressor is made up of which components?

• A. Rotors
• B. Stators
• C. Rotors and stators
• D. Rotors and stators arranged in alternating stages

Answer: (D)

An axial-flow compressor uses both rotor blade rows and stator blade rows in alternating stages. The rotating rotors add energy to the air, increasing its velocity and pressure, while the stationary stators convert that energy into pressure rise and guide the flow cleanly to the next rotor without causing unwanted swirl. By stacking these rotor-stator pairs in sequence, the flow is repeatedly compressed along the axis, achieving a high overall pressure rise in a compact form. Rotors alone wouldn’t sustain a pressure rise, and stators alone don’t transfer energy to the air, so the combination of rotating and stationary stages is essential.