Question

What is sonic boom? How is it caused? [2 MARKS]

Answer 1

What is supersonic speed : 1 Mark
What is sonic boom : 1 Mark

When the speed of any object exceeds the speed of sound it is said to be travelling at supersonic speed. Bullets, jet aircrafts etc. often travel at supersonic speeds. When a sound producing source moves with a speed higher than that of sound, it produces shock waves in air.

These shock waves carry a large amount of energy. The air pressure variation associated with this type of shock waves produces a very sharp and loud sound called the “sonic boom”.