In turbomachinery, degree of reaction or reaction ratio (denoted R) is defined as the ratio of the change in static pressure in the rotating blades of a compressor or turbine, to the static pressure change in the compressor or turbine stage. Alternatively it is the ratio of static enthalpy change in the rotor to the static enthalpy change in the stage.
Various definitions exist in terms of enthalpies, pressures or flow geometry of the device. In case of turbines, both impulse and reaction machines, degree of reaction is defined as the ratio of energy transfer by the change in static head to the total energy transfer in the rotor: