A sonic boom is a sound associated with shock waves created when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound. ... Rather the boom is a continuous effect that occurs while the object is travelling at supersonic speeds.

Why does sonic boom happen?

A sonic boom occurs when an object moves faster than the speed of sound. As it moves through the air, it creates shock waves that can cause a loud, booming sound. It is mostly emitted by aircraft that travel at supersonic speeds.

What is an example of a sonic boom?

Examples of sonic boom

A sonic boom can be produced while cracking a whip through air. This happens because the whip travels at a supersonic speed and breaks the sound barrier. Since the whip is a small and manageable object, the boom is not loud enough to cause alarm and structural damage.