CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Waves & Sound - Sonic Boom
Which environmental factor affects the local speed of sound in air strongly?
A. Magnetic north only
B. Color of the aircraft
C. Time zone
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: D
Sound speed in air increases with temperature.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Waves & Sound - Sonic Boom
What shape is commonly associated with the shock-wave pattern behind a supersonic object?
A. Perfect sphere only
B. Mach cone
C. Cylinder only
D. Flat plane only
Correct Answer: B
Supersonic disturbances form a conical wavefront.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Waves & Sound - Sonic Boom
Is a sonic boom a single event created only when an aircraft first crosses Mach 1?
A. No, shock waves persist while supersonic flight continues
B. Only when engines turn off
C. Yes, only at the instant of crossing
D. Only during landing
Correct Answer: A
A supersonic object continuously generates shock waves; an observer hears the boom as they pass.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Waves & Sound - Sonic Boom
An aircraft flying at Mach 2 is moving at approximately what relative speed?
A. Half the local speed of sound
B. Twice the local speed of sound
C. Twice the speed of light
D. Exactly 2 m/s
Correct Answer: B
Mach 2 means velocity is two times the local sound speed.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Waves & Sound - Sonic Boom
What does Mach 1 mean?
A. One meter per second
B. Speed equal to the local speed of sound
C. Half the speed of sound
D. Twice the speed of light
Correct Answer: B
Mach number is speed divided by local sound speed.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - General Science
Waves & Sound - Sonic Boom
What causes a sonic boom?
A. Shock waves produced by an object moving faster than sound
B. Light reflecting from a mirror
C. Any object moving slowly
D. A quiet engine
Correct Answer: A
Supersonic motion compresses pressure disturbances into shock waves.