Prandtl-Glauert singularity

The Prandtl-Glauert singularity describes how airflow behaves dramatically near the speed of sound for an aircraft. As an object approaches this critical speed, certain aerodynamic effects, like pressure and lift, increase sharply, theoretically becoming infinite at the exact speed of sound. However, in reality, physical effects like shock waves prevent this from actually happening. This concept helps explain rapid changes in aircraft performance and the visual phenomenon of the "vapor cone" seen during high-speed flight. Essentially, it highlights the extreme aerodynamic changes that occur near the sonic barrier, guiding engineers in designing aircraft to handle these conditions safely.