Because the different radial directions around the aircraft's direction of travel are equivalent (given the 'smooth flight' condition), the shock wave forms a Mach cone, similar to a vapour cone, with the aircraft at its tip. In smooth flight, the shock wave starts at the nose of the aircraft and ends at the tail. Eventually they merge into a single shock wave, which travels at the speed of sound, a critical speed known as Mach 1, and is approximately 1,192 km/h (741 mph) at sea level and 20 ☌ (68 ☏). These waves travel at the speed of sound and, as the speed of the object increases, the waves are forced together, or compressed, because they cannot get out of each other's way quickly enough. When an aircraft passes through the air, it creates a series of pressure waves in front of the aircraft and behind it, similar to the bow and stern waves created by a boat. As the object moves, this conical region also moves behind it and when the cone passes over the observer, they will briefly experience the 'boom'. Rather, the boom is a continuous effect that occurs while the object is travelling at supersonic speeds and affects only observers that are positioned at a point that intersects a region in the shape of a geometrical cone behind the object. Ī sonic boom does not occur only at the moment an object crosses the sound barrier and neither is it heard in all directions emanating from the supersonic object.

Although they cannot be completely prevented, research suggests that with careful shaping of the vehicle, the nuisance due to the sonic booms may be reduced to the point that overland supersonic flight may become a feasible option. This led to prohibition of routine supersonic flight overland.

Sonic booms due to large supersonic aircraft can be particularly loud and startling, tend to awaken people, and may cause minor damage to some structures. The crack of a supersonic bullet passing overhead or the crack of a bullwhip are examples of a sonic boom in miniature. 'A thunderclap is incredibly loud, producing levels between 100 and 120 dBA ( decibels A)- the equivalent of standing near a jet during take-off.' A decibel is the primary unit measurement of sound. Sonic booms generate enormous amounts of sound energy, sounding similar to an explosion or a thunderclap to the human ear.

Conical shockwave with its hyperbola-shaped ground contact zone in yellowĪ sonic boom is a sound associated with shock waves created when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound.

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