Loudness in the air

BOOM! That’s a word we often use to describe a loud sound. It’s also part of the term “sonic boom (音爆)”, which is something that happens when air is pushed so strongly and quickly that it creates a loud noise.

On March 20, rare daytime meteor (流星) created sonic boom over parts of the UK and France, according to Live Science. The meteor flew through the sky so fast that it could hardly be seen—but it could definitely be heard.

So how exactly are sonic booms made? You can think of air as being like water. When something moves through water, you can see ripples (波纹). If the object moves very quickly, the ripples start to run into each other.

The same thing happens in the air, even if it can’t be seen. When the object moves faster than the speed of sound, the air is pushed hard, and it compresses (压缩) like the ripples on water. This will create a sound wave that is very loud, which is a sonic boom.

Actually, lots of things can make sonic booms. When you go to the park and see people play with whips and tops (鞭子和陀螺), you might hear a tiny sonic boom when they crack (重击) the whip. Aircraft (飞机) that travel faster than the speed of sound can also make sonic booms.

A strong sonic boom can cause damage to windows or buildings, although the possibility of this is very low, according to the US Air Force. The loud sound can also influence people on the ground and even cause hearing loss. That’s why supersonic aircraft are only allowed in times of war.

【小题1】When can a sonic boom happen?
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【小题2】What created a sonic boom over parts of the UK and France on March 20?
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【小题3】Can you usually see a sonic boom in the air?
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【小题4】How can an aircraft create sonic booms?
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【小题5】What can a sonic boom cause?
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