SONIC BOOM

When a body moves with a speed which is greater than the speed of sound in air, it is said to be traveling at supersonic speed. Jet fighters, bullets, etc, often travel at supersonic speed. And when they so, they produce a sharp, loud sound called a sonic boom.

The source moves at a speed greater than that of sound waves traveling at the speed of sound, are left behind. The high-pressure layers due to sound waves originating at different points bunch together as shown in figure. Actually, these layers fall on the surface of an imaginary cone of which OA, OB is a part. The total pressure on the surface of this cone is very high.

The source is at the apex of this cone. As the source moves ahead, It drags the cone together with it. When the surface of the cone reaches a person, Human Ears experience a sudden increase in pressure. After the surface crosses him, the pressure is suddenly reduced. This causes the person to hear a sharp, loud sound-the sonic boom.

A region consisting of a very-high-pressure layer followed by a lower-pressure layer travels through the space together with the cone. This is called a shock wave. This shock wave give rise to the sonic boom when it reaches a person.

The shock waves produced by supersonic aircraft have enough energy to shatter glass and even damage weak buildings.