A shock wave is produced when the speed of an object
A)matches the speed of sound in air.
B)exceeds the speed of sound in air.
C)greatly increases in amplitude.
D)none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A shock wave is a type of sound wave that occurs when an object travels faster than the speed of sound in a given medium, such as air. As the object approaches and then breaks through the sound barrier, the air molecules in front of the object get compressed and cannot move out of the way as quickly as the object is traveling. This compressed air creates a shock wave, which travels through the air as a pressure wave. So, the correct choice is B) exceeds the speed of sound in air.

A Shock Wave Is Produced When the Speed of an Object