Can a Silent Object Create a Sonic Boom?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Ginseng
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether an object that does not produce sound while accelerating can still create a sonic boom when it breaks the sound barrier. The inquiry touches on theoretical aspects of sound generation and the mechanics of sonic booms, particularly in relation to silent propulsion systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if a silent object can create a sonic boom when breaking the sound barrier, noting the common association of sonic booms with loud aircraft.
  • Another participant clarifies that the creation of a sonic boom is unrelated to the object's propulsion system and is instead due to shock waves formed by the object moving through the air.
  • A later reply acknowledges the clarification and expresses appreciation for the information provided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the initial question, but there is agreement on the mechanism of sonic boom generation as described by one participant.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the implications of silent propulsion systems on sonic boom generation, leaving open questions about the conditions under which sonic booms occur.

Ginseng
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Call me crazy, but my fiance has been watching a lot of UFO stuff lately. I am extremely skeptical, but it put a question into my head, that I can not seem to find an answer to in my random searches on google.

Can an object that makes no sound while accelerating create a sonic boom when breaking the sound barrier?

Whenever I read about the sound barrier I find lots of answers on physics theory, calculations, examples, pictures, etc. All things that I have found refer to aircraft breaking the speed of sound. Well we all know how loud planes are, and I can understand the loud sound when a sound is generated by the aircraft itself.

But what about, theoretically, a propulsion system that is completely silent? Any help?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to Physics Forums.

You should note that the creation of a sonic boom has nothing what-so-ever to do with propulsion system of an object. A sonic boom is a result of was is termed a shock. This shock is formed from the pressure waves created by the object simply moving through the air.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_boom#Causes for more information.
 
Thanks. I guess I just didnt read far enough down on the wiki page. :) Either way I found the Physics Forum in the process!
 
Ginseng said:
Either way I found the Physics Forum in the process!
Welcome aboard! It's good to have you here :smile:
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Interval between double sonic booms
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
18K
Graduate Curiosity - Relative speeds in relation to the sound barrier?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Sonic Boom, Red Bull Stratos (possible?)
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
8K
About Sonic Booms and Quiet Aircraft
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Hear sonic booms by slowing down?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
10K
Undergrad How do supersonic sources create sonic booms?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Which stick hits harder? (one is stiff and other can be bent slightly)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad Why is there no sonic boom when shooting an air rifle at 1400 feet per second?
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
34K
Undergrad Speed of Shockwaves: Faster than Sound?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Why is there a sonic boom at Mach 1.5?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K