The ratio of the velocity of the object and the velocity of sound in the same medium and under the same conditions is called
The ratio of an object’s velocity to the velocity of sound in the same medium under the same conditions is called the Mach number. This dimensionless value is critical in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, indicating the object’s speed relative to sound speed.
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The ratio of an object’s velocity to the velocity of sound in the same medium and under the same conditions is called the Mach number. Named after physicist Ernst Mach, it is a dimensionless quantity that represents the object’s speed relative to the speed of sound. For instance, an aircraft traveling at Mach 2 moves at twice the speed of sound. This concept is essential in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, influencing the study and design of high-speed vehicles such as aircraft and spacecraft. The Mach number determines the flow regime: subsonic (Mach 1), and hypersonic (Mach > 5). It affects airflow behavior, shock waves, and compressibility effects, making it a crucial parameter for engineers and scientists working on high-speed travel and technologies. Hence, the correct answer is [D] Mach number.