A shock wave is
A)the opposite of a bow wave.
B)usually composed of a pair of closely spaced cones.
C)weak for aircraft that fly at less than the speed of sound.
D)all of the above
E)none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A shock wave is a type of wave that occurs when an object moves through a medium at a speed faster than the speed of sound in that medium. It is usually composed of a pair of closely spaced cones called Mach cones. A bow wave, on the other hand, is a type of wave that occurs when an object moves through a medium at a speed slower than the speed of that wave in that medium. Therefore, option A is incorrect. For aircraft that fly at less than the speed of sound, shock waves are not usually present, so option C is also incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is option B.

A Shock Wave Is