Sonic boom

Definition

A sonic boom is a loud explosive noise caused by the shock wave from an object traveling faster than the speed of sound. It occurs when the object breaks the sound barrier, typically at speeds greater than Mach 1.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sonic booms are created when an object travels through air faster than the speed of sound, causing a sudden change in pressure.
2. The speed of sound in air at sea level and at standard atmospheric conditions is approximately 343 meters per second (1235 kilometers per hour or 767 miles per hour).
3. The Mach number is used to describe the ratio of an object's speed to the speed of sound; a Mach number greater than 1 indicates supersonic speed.
4. The shock waves responsible for sonic booms are essentially large amplitude pressure waves that travel away from the source in all directions.
5. Sonic booms can cause physical damage such as broken windows and can be harmful to human hearing if experienced at close range.

Review Questions

• What causes a sonic boom?
• At what speed does an object need to travel to create a sonic boom?
• What is the relationship between Mach number and supersonic speeds?

Related terms

Doppler Effect: The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the source of the wave.

Mach Number: A dimensionless quantity representing the ratio of an object's speed to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium.

Shock Wave: \text{A type of propagating disturbance that moves faster than the local speed of sound and results in sudden changes in pressure, temperature, and density.}