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The sound barrier refers to the point at which an object equals or surpasses the speed of sound, which is approximately 767 mph or 1,234 km/h. Breaking the sound barrier is possible, as proven by aircrafts and, in 2012, Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner. U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager was the first person to break the sound barrier in 1947, though there are unofficial claims that it was first broken during World War II. When an object breaks the sound barrier, it creates a sonic boom, a shock wave caused by a sudden release of pressure waves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility of a person breaking the sound barrier | Yes |
| First person to break the sound barrier | U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager |
| Date of first instance | October 14, 1947 |
| Aircraft used | Bell X-1 rocket plane |
| Speed of sound | 343 m/s or 767 mph at sea level |
| Speed achieved by Yeager | Mach 1 or 700 mph |
| Latest record speed achieved by a manned aircraft | Mach 6.72 or 4,535 mph |
| Person to break the sound barrier without a vehicle | Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner |
| Speed achieved by Baumgartner | Mach 1.24 or 833 mph |
| Date of Baumgartner's record | October 14, 1997 |
| Possibility of supersonic passenger aircraft | Yes, NASA and other companies are working on it |
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What You'll Learn
The first person to break the sound barrier
On October 14, 1947, Captain Charles E. Yeager became the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound. He flew a Bell XS-1, nicknamed "Glamorous Glennis" (a tribute to his wife), over Rogers Dry Lake, located at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The experimental rocket-propelled aircraft reached a speed of 700 miles per hour and an altitude of 43,000–45,000 feet. As Yeager passed through the sound barrier, a sonic boom was heard across the Mojave Desert.
There are several other claimed instances of individuals breaking the sound barrier before Yeager. For example, there is anecdotal evidence that American pilot George Welch may have broken the sound barrier two weeks before Yeager while diving an XP-86 Sabre. Additionally, German pilot Lothar Sieber was estimated to have broken the speed of sound during his fatal test flight of the rocket-powered Bachem Natter on March 1, 1945, although the speed was not officially measured.
Despite these earlier claims, Yeager's achievement was notable for being the first planned and sustained supersonic flight. He broke several other speed and altitude records in the following years and was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1973. Yeager was also recognized for his achievements with the Collier and Mackay trophies in 1948 and the Harmon International Trophy in 1954.
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Supersonic speeds and Mach numbers
Supersonic speed refers to the speed of an object that exceeds the speed of sound, which is Mach 1. The speed of sound varies depending on factors such as temperature, altitude, and the medium through which the sound is travelling. For example, in dry air at 20°C (68°F) at sea level, the speed of sound is approximately 343 metres per second or 767 miles per hour. At this temperature and altitude, an object travelling faster than 767 miles per hour would be considered supersonic.
Mach number is a measure of the compressibility characteristics of fluid flow. It is calculated by dividing the speed of an object by the speed of sound. For example, Mach 3 refers to three times the speed of sound. As Mach number increases, so does the strength of the shock wave, and the Mach cone becomes narrower. Supersonic aircraft experience much higher aerodynamic drag than subsonic aircraft, requiring several times more thrust to push through the transonic region. This extra drag can be minimised by properly shaping the aircraft to be long and thin, close to a "perfect" shape such as the von Karman ogive or Sears-Haack body.
The term "sound barrier" refers to the large increase in aerodynamic drag and other undesirable effects experienced by an aircraft or other object when it approaches the speed of sound. As an aircraft approaches the speed of sound, the sound waves in front of the plane pile up on each other, compressing the air. This creates a noticeable increase in drag, making faster speeds more difficult to achieve. However, once an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound and enters supersonic flight, the pressure waves no longer propagate in front of the aircraft but instead create a wave that follows along with the aircraft.
The sound barrier was first broken by U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager on October 14, 1947, in the Bell X-1 rocket plane. Yeager passed Mach 1 after being dropped from a B-29 airplane, demonstrating that it was possible to break the sound barrier without injury or harm to passengers. Since then, supersonic speeds have been achieved by various aircraft, bullets, and even land vehicles such as the ThrustSSC, which became the first land vehicle to officially travel at supersonic speed in 1997.
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The science of high-speed flight
The sound barrier refers to the point at which an object equals or surpasses the speed of sound, which is around 767 mph or 1,234 km/h. As an object approaches this speed, it encounters an increase in aerodynamic drag, which can make faster speeds difficult or impossible. This phenomenon was first observed during World War II when pilots of high-speed fighter aircraft experienced adverse effects that seemed to impede flight at speeds close to the speed of sound.
However, as the science of high-speed flight evolved, it became clear that the sound barrier could be broken with the right conditions and technological advancements. The introduction of thin swept wings, the area rule, and more powerful engines played a crucial role in overcoming the challenges of breaking the sound barrier. By the 1950s, many combat aircraft were capable of routinely breaking the sound barrier, although they often experienced control issues such as Mach tuck, where the aircraft pitches downward due to changes in wing pressure.
On October 14, 1947, US Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager officially became the first person to break the sound barrier while flying the Bell X-1 rocket plane. This achievement demonstrated that it was possible for humans to travel at supersonic speeds without injury, paving the way for further exploration in high-speed flight and space travel. Yeager's aircraft was accelerated past the sound barrier after being dropped from a B-29 airplane, reaching Mach 1 at an altitude of 45,000 ft (13.7 km).
Since Yeager's historic flight, numerous aircraft have broken the sound barrier, and the record for the fastest manned aircraft continues to be pushed. The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird currently holds the record, exceeding Mach 3 with sustained speeds of approximately 2,300 mph. Additionally, in 2012, Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner broke the sound barrier without the aid of a vehicle during a freefall skydive, becoming the first person to achieve this feat.
While breaking the sound barrier has become more common in aircraft, the development of supersonic passenger air travel has faced challenges due to the sonic boom created when exceeding the speed of sound. This sonic boom can cause undesirable effects, such as breaking windows in buildings. NASA and companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Aerion are working on overcoming these challenges to make supersonic passenger travel a reality.
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Sonic booms and shock waves
When an object travels at supersonic speeds, it creates a shock wave. This is because the pressure disturbances or sounds generated by the object are confined to a region extending mostly to the rear of the object, forming a cone-shaped wavefront called a Mach cone. As the object moves faster than the waves it creates, the waves never catch up to the source, and a shock wave is formed. The Mach cone is similar to the bow wave of a boat, with the waves piling up at the front of the boat as it moves through the water.
As the aircraft proceeds, the trailing edge of the cone-shaped disturbance intercepts the ground, producing a sharp bang or boom. This is called a sonic boom. Sonic booms generate enormous amounts of sound energy, sounding similar to an explosion or a thunderclap to the human ear. They can be very loud and startling and may cause minor damage to some structures, such as breaking windows.
The power or volume of the shock wave depends on the quantity of air that is being accelerated and the size and shape of the aircraft. The shape of the aircraft can be designed to minimize the impact of sonic booms, as described by the Jones-Seebass-George-Darden theory of sonic boom minimization. This theory suggests that by producing a strong and downwards-focused shock wave at a sharp, wide-angle nose cone, the impact of the sonic boom can be reduced.
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The future of supersonic passenger air travel
Supersonic flight has long been a fascination for humankind, with the sound barrier officially broken by U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager in 1947. Since then, the development of supersonic transport (SST) has been a focus for aviation companies, with the Concorde and Tupolev Tu-144 entering service in the 1970s. However, both were eventually retired, and no SSTs have been in commercial service since 2003.
NASA is also working to advance supersonic flight, partnering with Lockheed Martin and Boeing to develop concepts for a Mach 4 airliner. In 2024, NASA and Boom Technology both launched test flights of their supersonic jets, with NASA's X-59 set to fly over select US communities to collect data on public response to the noise created by supersonic flight.
However, there are challenges to the widespread adoption of supersonic passenger air travel. Supersonic aircraft have higher per-passenger fuel consumption, making ticket prices necessarily higher and more sensitive to oil price fluctuations. Additionally, the loud sonic boom created by breaking the sound barrier has been a significant issue, with communities near airports affected by high engine noise levels.
Despite these challenges, advancements in technology and design may help overcome these obstacles. For example, new generation alloys may enable engines to operate at previously unthinkable temperatures and pressures, and small SSTs may have a reduced environmental impact.
In conclusion, while there are economic and environmental concerns surrounding supersonic passenger air travel, ongoing research and development could lead to breakthroughs that make supersonic flight more feasible and accessible in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
The sound barrier is the point at which an aircraft equals and surpasses the speed of sound. It is also known as Mach 1.
When an object travels faster than the speed of sound, it creates a "sonic boom", a loud shock wave. This occurs because the sound waves created by the object are no longer able to propagate in front of it, instead creating a wave that follows behind it, similar to the wake of a boat.
Yes, the sound barrier was first broken by U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager on October 14, 1947, in a rocket plane called the Bell X-1. Since then, many aircraft have broken the sound barrier, and in 2012, Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner became the first person to break the sound barrier without being in a vehicle.
Yes, as Baumgartner demonstrated, it is possible for a person to break the sound barrier. This also proved that the human body can withstand the speed of sound without injury, bringing us closer to the possibility of space flight.
