TED-Ed

Katerina Kaouri: The sonic boom problem (2015x17)

: 10, 2015

Objects that fly faster than the speed of sound (like really fast planes) create a shock wave accompanied by a thunder-like noise: the sonic boom. These epic sounds can cause distress to people and animals and even damage nearby buildings. Katerina Kaouri details how scientists use math to predict sonic booms' paths in the atmosphere, where they will land, and how loud they will be. [Directed by Anton Bogaty, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Michael Dow].