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What causes a shock wave (sonic boom)?

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Above speeds of Mach .7 the air flowing over the wing accelerates above the speed of sound, causing a shock wave (also known as a sonic boom ) as the airplane compresses air molecules faster than they can move away from the airplane ...

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Similar questions: What does an airplane do to air molecules to create a shock wave (sonic boom)? What speed needs to be met to create a shock wave? What is the speed of sound? How is a shock wave (sonic boom) created? [ Hide these questions ]

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