You are here:
Astronomy/Question
Advertisement
Question
What is shockwave,
how we can break sound barrier.
Hi Imran,
A shockwave is really a pressure wave that builds up in front of the object that is approaching
the speed of sound, about 1100 feet per second, or 1/5 mile per second.
To get an aircraft to do it was simply an engineering problem. Centuries before aircraft did it,
we already knew it was physically possible because the end tips of bullwhips did it, and so did bullets. In fact, the crack you hear of a bullwhip, and the loud sound you hear of a rifle bullet, is simply the object exceeding the speed of sound. So it's not a true barrier, it just takes a lot of energy to do it, and the correct shape of a jet aircraft, or rocket.
This is unlike light speed (186,000 miles per second), which IS a true barrier to velocity, because it's based on time and mass, not amount of energy. At light speed, time becomes zero and mass becomes infinite. So since we can't go backward in time, and we can't have a greater than infinite mass, the speed of light IS a true barrier to the velocity of matter. It's been
already tried many times in todays cyclotrons, and we've found that the maximum speed of matter is 99.9999+ light speed. Even more energy applied simply raises the velocity to 99.9999999+ light speed. But what's the hurry as time goes to nearly zero passage at near-light speed?
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA USA
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Tom Whiting
Expertise
Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years. Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.
Experience
Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.
Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.
Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).
Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions; Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).
Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.