What causes the loud noise known as a sonic boom?

Explanation

A sonic boom occurs when an object, such as a jet aircraft, travels faster than the speed of sound, causing the sound waves it generates to compress into a powerful shock wave rather than spreading out normally ahead of the object. This shock wave produces the loud, thunder-like boom heard by observers on the ground as it passes. The boom is not a single instantaneous event at the moment of breaking the sound barrier but rather a continuous effect that trails behind the object as long as it continues moving faster than sound. Explore more Everyday Science MCQs on mcqstutor to keep practicing.