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7. When you hear a sonic boom, you often cannot see the plane that made it. Why is that?

7. When you hear a sonic boom, you often cannot see the plane that made it. Why is that?

College Physics
College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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**Question 7:** When you hear a sonic boom, you often cannot see the plane that made it. Why is that? **Explanation:** A sonic boom is a loud sound that resembles an explosion. It is created when an object, such as an aircraft, travels through the air faster than the speed of sound, producing shock waves. **Reasons why you often cannot see the plane:** 1. **Speed of Sound:** The plane is traveling faster than the speed of sound (approximately 343 meters per second or 1235 kilometers/hour at sea level). By the time you hear the sonic boom, the plane has already traveled some distance ahead of the point the sound was produced. 2. **Distance and Altitude:** High-altitude supersonic flights mean the aircraft is often located many kilometers above the ground, making it difficult to see from the ground. 3. **Sound Propagation:** Sound takes time to travel. The shock wave generated by a supersonic aircraft trails behind it, so by the time the sound reaches a listener on the ground, the aircraft is further along its path. Understanding these concepts helps explain the lag between the visual presence and the auditory experience of witnessing high-speed aircraft.
Transcribed Image Text:**Question 7:** When you hear a sonic boom, you often cannot see the plane that made it. Why is that? **Explanation:** A sonic boom is a loud sound that resembles an explosion. It is created when an object, such as an aircraft, travels through the air faster than the speed of sound, producing shock waves. **Reasons why you often cannot see the plane:** 1. **Speed of Sound:** The plane is traveling faster than the speed of sound (approximately 343 meters per second or 1235 kilometers/hour at sea level). By the time you hear the sonic boom, the plane has already traveled some distance ahead of the point the sound was produced. 2. **Distance and Altitude:** High-altitude supersonic flights mean the aircraft is often located many kilometers above the ground, making it difficult to see from the ground. 3. **Sound Propagation:** Sound takes time to travel. The shock wave generated by a supersonic aircraft trails behind it, so by the time the sound reaches a listener on the ground, the aircraft is further along its path. Understanding these concepts helps explain the lag between the visual presence and the auditory experience of witnessing high-speed aircraft.
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