Supersonic aircraft produce a shock wave called a “sound boom”. This occurs when the aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound, creating a sudden increase in pressure and temperature. The resulting shock wave is perceived on the ground as a distinctive loud noise known as a sonic boom, characteristic of supersonic flight.
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Supersonic aircraft produce a shock wave called a “sound boom” (Option [D]). When an aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1), it generates a shock wave due to the buildup of pressure waves at the leading edges of its wings, fuselage, and other protruding parts. This shock wave is characterized by a sudden and sharp increase in pressure and temperature, creating a distinctive “boom” sound heard on the ground. This phenomenon is commonly known as a sonic boom.
The sonic boom occurs when the pressure waves generated by the aircraft cannot move away from each other quickly enough, resulting in a single shock wave propagating outward from the aircraft’s path. This wave is distinct from ultrasonic waves (Option [B]), which are sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper limit of human hearing, and transverse waves (Option [C]), which oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
Therefore, among the options provided, the shock wave produced by supersonic aircraft is correctly termed a “sound boom,” associated with the characteristic sonic boom heard during high-speed flight.