what is sound barrier breaking

11 months ago 21
Nature

Breaking the sound barrier refers to the point at which an object equals and surpasses the speed of sound, which is approximately 767 mph or 1,239 km/h at sea level. As an object approaches the speed of sound, it experiences a sudden increase in aerodynamic drag, which can cause an increase in the aerodynamic forces acting on the object. This increase in drag is due to the compressed air in front of the object exerting a much larger than usual force on the object, creating a noticeable increase in the aerodynamic drag on the object. When an object exceeds the speed of sound, it is said to be supersonic, and anything exceeding the speed of sound creates a "sonic boom". The term "sound barrier" is somewhat misleading because there is no physical barrier at the speed of sound. Breaking the sound barrier was a significant achievement in aviation history because it proved that the human body could move without injury at the speed of sound, taking us closer to the possibility of space flight.