Can Supersonic Wind Create Sonic Booms?

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SUMMARY

Supersonic wind can create sonic boom effects if it interacts with an object at a net relative speed exceeding the speed of sound. This phenomenon is often studied in wind tunnels, where pressure wave patterns downstream of the object can result in audible sonic booms. The upstream region remains unaffected, producing clean airflow. The discussion emphasizes the importance of relative speed in determining whether sonic booms occur in supersonic wind conditions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of supersonic and subsonic airflow dynamics
  • Familiarity with sonic boom physics
  • Knowledge of wind tunnel testing methodologies
  • Basic principles of pressure wave propagation
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  • Research the physics of sonic booms and their formation
  • Explore wind tunnel experiments related to supersonic airflow
  • Study the effects of pressure waves in fluid dynamics
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Aerospace engineers, physicists, and students studying fluid dynamics or aerodynamics will benefit from this discussion.

mathemagician
I have a question I am pondering about. If there was a wind and the windspeed is faster than the speed of sound, would there be any kind of sonic boom effect created?
 
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Only if the wind hit something with a net relative speed higher than the speed of sound.
 
I suspect that they produce this wind speed effect in wind tunnels all the time. Down stream of the object in the wind I suspect that there are patterns of pressure waves that can be felt as sonic booms. Upstream should be clean.
 
Jeff Reid said:
Only if the wind hit something with a net relative speed higher than the speed of sound.

Or if the supersonic front finds a subsonic part of wind.
 

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