Sonic Booms

By Shaunak Salvi
Sonic Boom
Mach = Speed of the body in a medium
Speed of sound in the same medium

Mach 1 : Speed of body in a medium = Speed of sound in the same medium

Mach 2 : Speed of body in a medium = 2 Speed of sound in the same medium

As long as a plane travels at mach 1 or faster it will generate

a continuous sonic boom.
Bj zzzzz
v < Mach 1
v = Mach 1
v > Mach 1
Transonic : a = v : µ = 90

Subsonic : a > v : sin µ > 1 : No real solution: No mach waves

Supersonic : a < v : µ < 90

Mach cones

When the object moves at supersonic speeds (Ma > 1), the object "out runs" the pressure pulses
it generates. The locus of wave fronts forms a cone which is termed a Mach Cone. The object
cannot be heard outside the Mach Cone. This region is called the Zone of Silence. Inside the
cone, the region known as the Zone of Action, the object can be heard. The angle that the cone
makes with the horizontal is a function of the Mach number and can be determined from simple
geometry.
Different regimes of planes
Diplodocus and Sonic booms
Concorde

Supersonic

Max speed = 2179 km/hr = Mach 2.05

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
Max speed = 3529 km/hr = Mach 3.32

Supersonic
Boeing 747
Max speed = 988 km/hr = Mach 0.93

Subsonic
AIRBUS A380
Max speed = 1050 km /hr = Mach 0.988

Subsonic
Zeppelin
Max speed = 112 km/hr = Mach 0.09

Subsonic
Airbus Beluga
Top Speed : 778 km/h = Mach 0.63

Subsonic
North American x15
Top speed = 8297 km/h = Mach 6.72

Hypersonic
Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST
Lockheed Martin X-59 QueSST
Advantages
DimensionsThe X-59 will be 29.5 meters (96.75 feet) long
and 9 meters (29.5 feet) wide.

Shape:The X-59's unique shape—also known as its outer mold

line—is designed to spread out supersonic shockwaves in a way
that prevents the typically loud sonic booms heard on the ground.
Instead, all people will hear is a quiet "sonic thump"—if they hear
anything at all
Windscreen:Because the nose is so long
and skinny, the pilots won't be able to see
much outside without help. NASA's
eXternal Vision System (XVS) will ensure
safe navigation. XVS uses a combination
of sensors, computers, and HD displays to
replace the forward facing window in
standard aircraft.
Wings:This kind of "swept-back" wing
reduces the air drag on the plane as it
flies really fast through the air.
Engine:The X-59 will be propelled by a
single, high-thrust engine that also is used in
fighter jets. The engine will be placed on top
of the X-59 so its noise will be directed away
from people on the ground.
Bloodhound SSC
0 km/h - 308 km/h in just 9 seconds.

First supersonic car in the world .

Top speed : 1000 mph = 1609 km/hr

Weight(fuelled) : 7.5 tons = 6803.89 kg

Engine : Rolls-Royce Eurojet EJ200 or

Jaguar 5 litres V8 engine.

Uses a Monopropellant rocket

uses a single chemical as a
propellant
Some questions..
Q. Why do we not hear sonic booms when a rocket lifts off ?
When a rocket lifts off , the pressure wavefronts are travelling away from us
which means that we are not a part of the mach cone , hence we are in the Zone
of silence . As the rocket travels vertically , the density of the atmosphere keeps
on decreasing and hence the mach cones tend to be narrower but when the rocket
reaches the exosphere(500 km-1000 km) , it no longer produces any sonic booms
and mach cones as there is no fluid (air) present.
Q. We do hear sonic booms when SpaceX lands its reusable rockets.Why?

,
A. When the rockets are nearing the surface of the Earth , they are travelling at a
speed greater than Mach 1 , a Mach cone is formed and this time we are a part of
the Mach cone and hence we hear the sonic boom.
Bibliography
https://courses.lumenlearning.com

https://physics.stackexchange.com

https://www.grc.nasa.gov

https://www.airbus.com

http://www.boeing.com

https://www.spacex.com

https://www.wikipedia.org
Bibliography
https://web.mit.edu/16.00/www/aec/flight.html

http://wordpress.mrreid.org

https://www.bloodhoundlsr.com/about-bloodhound-lsr/

https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/quesst.html

https://www.nasa.gov/specials/X59/how-x59-designed.html

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/a29305672/bloodhound-lsr-south-africa-t
est-2019/
Bibliography
https://www.google.com/search?q=sonic+boom+spacex+landing&oq=sonic+boom
+spacex+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i457j0i22i30l3.11842j0j9&client=ms-android-vivo-
rvo2&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gWGLAAYdbbc

https://www.howitworksdaily.com/