What does the occurrence of a sonic boom depend on? Question 7 options: – [Free] B92
What does the occurrence of a sonic boom depend on? Question 7 options: A.Speed of the source B.Frequency of source C.Amplitude of source D.Distance of observer from the source
What Does the Occurrence of a Sonic Boom Depend On?
Question:
What does the occurrence of a sonic boom depend on?
- A. Speed of the source
- B. Frequency of the source
- C. Amplitude of the source
- D. Distance of the observer from the source
Answer:
Correct Answer: A — Speed of the source
Detailed Explanation:
A sonic boom occurs when an object moves through a medium (such as air) at a speed greater than the speed of sound. When an object exceeds the speed of sound, it compresses sound waves in front of it, generating a series of shock waves that combine to form a powerful pressure wave — what we hear as a sonic boom.
This phenomenon only happens when the speed of the object exceeds the speed of sound (Mach 1). At this point, the shock waves produced overlap and amplify, resulting in the distinct boom.
While characteristics like frequency, amplitude, and distance may affect how the boom is heard (its pitch, volume, or timing), they do not cause the sonic boom. The triggering factor is purely the speed of the source relative to the speed of sound.
Key Concept:
A sonic boom is caused by an object traveling faster than the speed of sound. Thus, the occurrence of a sonic boom directly depends on the speed of the source.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
- B. Frequency of the source: Affects the pitch, not whether a boom occurs.
- C. Amplitude of the source: Affects loudness but not the creation of shock waves.
- D. Distance of the observer: Affects how loud or delayed the boom sounds but not its occurrence.