The Sonic Boom

A sonic boom occurs when an object travels through air faster than the speed of sound, creating a shockwave similar to the wake of a boat but in the air. As the aircraft approaches and surpasses this speed, pressure builds up around it. When it breaks the sound barrier, that pressure is released suddenly, producing a loud bang that travels to observers on the ground. This phenomenon is commonly associated with supersonic jets and can cause noise disturbances over large areas.