La sound barrier It is a physical phenomenon that refers to the limit speed at which an object can move in a given medium without exceeding the speed of sound in that medium. Varies based on environmental conditions, such as temperature and altitude. Many people have been interested in this topic for a long time.
Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you what the sound barrier is, its characteristics and importance. Learning about the Speed of sound is essential to understand this phenomenon.
Key features
When an object moves at a speed equal to or less than that of sound, the sound waves it emits can propagate through the medium without any problems. However, when the object starts moving faster than the speed of sound, an accumulation of sound waves occurs in front of the moving object. This is directly related to the history of aviation and the technological advances that made it possible to overcome this phenomenon, as mentioned in the evolution of modern aviation.
This accumulation of waves generates high pressure in the region called the "shock wave." A shock wave is a concentration of energy that forms around an object when it reaches or exceeds the speed of sound. To understand this phenomenon, it is advisable to review how the aircraft affects the environment, since supersonic aircraft generate peculiarities in their environment and their relationship with the environment. temperature and climate.
When an object breaks through the sound barrier, an event known as a "sonic boom" occurs. This event is characterized by a loud and distinctive noise, similar to an explosion or thunder. The sonic boom is caused by the sudden release of energy stored in the shock wave as the object passes through it.
Importantly the sonic boom is not harmful in and of itself, but it can cause discomfort to people on the groundBecause of this, many areas have regulations and restrictions on the flight of supersonic aircraft near populated areas. An analysis of these is crucial in this context.
Some history
Let's go back a few years. During World War II, the world of aviation was revolutionized with the development of the first jet engines. These planes are capable of flying higher and faster. As technology developed, nothing seemed like it could improve speed until the sound barrier was known. This phase of history shows how aeronautical engineering has evolved by overcoming this challenge, which is worth considering when reflecting on the innovations in aviation.
They quickly realized that no matter how powerful the new engines were, they could not approach the speed of sound: on the one hand, they would lose power as the engines approached Mach 1, and on the other hand, due to the wave crash. At the time it was believed that the speed of sound was unbeatable, physically unbeatable. Hence the name "sound barrier".
In October 1947, the first aircraft to break the sound barrier was the experimental X-1, which was specifically designed for this purpose. It was also the first aircraft in the United States dedicated to aeronautical research and set a precedent, resulting in an inventory of more than 50 "X-planes." This breakthrough marked a turning point in aviation. Interestingly, the first person to fly faster than Mach 1 was Chuck Yeager, a former USAF pilot who won numerous awards for his aerial combat during World War II. The X-1 proved that supersonic speed is physically possible.
Shock waves and sound barrier
To understand the exponential increase in aerodynamic drag, one must understand what shock waves are. This phenomenon occurs due to dramatic changes in air pressure. Here's a simple example: if you have a bucket full of water, open your palm and hit the water hard, you'll hear a loud “plop plop”. If you repeat the experiment but only play with the tips of your fingers, not only will it not hurt, but you will not hear any loud sounds.
The reason is that a large area is covered by the hand and the water particles in the impact area they have no space or time to "get away" so the water gives a "hardening" feeling. This can also be seen in the way shock waves work in the air environment, which alters our understanding of flight drag, something that may be of interest when studying the .
When you do the same with your fingers, the water adapts to the impact and settles around your fingers without noise or pain. The same thing happens with air: when flying at subsonic speeds, the air has time to move and take the shape of the plane passing through it. During supersonic flight, the plane would irrevocably "hit" the air, creating enormous pressure changes. This is known as a shock wave. is responsible for the dramatic increase in aerodynamic drag. So all supersonic planes follow the same pattern: a thin fuselage, swept wings, and a very sharp nose.
Myths and truths of the sound barrier
There are many myths around the sound barrier. Let's analyze some of them with the truth ahead:
Myth: If an object breaks the sound barrier, it will explode.
True: It isn't true. Although the passage of an object through the sound barrier can cause a sonic boom, this does not mean that the object will explode. The structure of the object is designed to withstand the forces generated during this process.
Myth: The sound barrier is a physical wall.
True: The sound barrier is not a solid physical barrier. It is a term that describes the speed at which sound waves accumulate and generate a shock wave. It is a phenomenon related to the propagation of sound in a specific medium.
Myth: Supersonic planes always break the sound barrier when flying.
Truth: It is not necessary for a supersonic aircraft to constantly break the sound barrier. Supersonic aircraft can fly both below and above the speed of sound, depending on conditions and flight objectives. Only when they exceed the speed of sound is a sonic boom generated.
Mito: The sonic boom is dangerous for people on the ground.
TruthThe sonic boom itself is not dangerous. However, it can be annoying and disruptive to people on the ground. The loud, sudden noise can cause disturbance and disruption in residential and urban areas, which has led to the imposition of regulations and restrictions on supersonic flight near populated areas. The discussion about atmospheric phenomena It also includes considerations on noise affecting communities.
Mito: Only planes can break the sound barrier.
Truth: Although airplanes are the most common means of transportation associated with the sound barrier, they are not the only ones that can overcome it. Other vehicles, such as rockets, missiles, and projectiles, can also break the sound barrier when they reach supersonic speeds.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the sound barrier and its characteristics.
