The Speed of Sound

Sonic Boom

Gary Arndt explains that a sonic boom is a shockwave created when an object travels faster than the speed of sound. This occurs because the object displaces air faster than the molecules can move out of the way, causing a buildup of pressure released as a sonic boom 1. He clarifies that sonic booms are not a one-time event but occur continuously as long as an aircraft flies above the speed of sound 2.

A plane is continually making a sonic boom so long as it's flying above the speed of sound.

--- Gary Arndt

The misconception that sonic booms only happen once when breaking the sound barrier is debunked, likening it to a boat's wake that follows it continuously 2.

   

Historical Examples

Historical examples of sonic booms include high-caliber bullets and artillery shells, which create small sonic booms almost simultaneously with the explosion of gunpowder 1. Gary Arndt also mentions the cracking of a whip as a familiar example of a small sonic boom 1.

A whip makes a distinctive cracking sound because the tip of the whip very briefly goes faster than the speed of sound.

--- Gary Arndt

The Concorde, a supersonic passenger aircraft, flew from 1976 to 2003 but was limited to oceanic routes due to the disruptive nature of sonic booms over land 2.