A projectile creates a trailing Mach cone due to the interaction of displaced air as it returns to the axis of symmetry behind the supersonic object. This air meets incoming air, causing energy reflection at the speed of the projectile, which radiates outward at the speed of sound, forming the trailing edge Mach cone. Unlike the leading edge, which generates an initial shock wave that decays into a sonic wave, the trailing edge cone is initiated by air returning at only the speed of sound. The position of the apex of the trailing edge cone can be affected by the projectile's design, particularly if the trailing edge is not optimized for drag reduction. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for aerospace engineering and projectile design.
