Supersonic Speed

Supersonic speed refers to the speed of an object that exceeds the speed of sound in a given medium, typically air. The speed of sound at sea level is approximately 343 meters per second (or about 1,125 feet per second), and it can vary with factors such as temperature and altitude. When an object travels at supersonic speeds, it creates shock waves, which can result in a sonic boom — a loud noise associated with the disturbance in air pressure caused by the object moving faster than sound. Supersonic speeds are typically defined as being greater than Mach 1, where Mach is a dimensionless unit representing the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium. Aircraft, missiles, and certain natural phenomena, like some animal movements, can achieve supersonic speeds.