Yes, it is possible to break the sound barrier under water. Breaking the sound barrier in water, known as supercavitation, occurs when an object travels through water at a speed faster than the speed of sound in that medium.
The physics of breaking the sound barrier in water differs from breaking it in air due to the different properties of the two mediums. Sound travels at different speeds in different materials, and in general, sound travels faster in water than in air. The speed of sound in water is approximately 1,500 meters per second, which is about four times faster than in air.
When an object moves through water at a high velocity, it creates a pressure wave in front of it. As the object approaches and surpasses the speed of sound in water, the pressure wave becomes compressed, and the water cannot move out of the way quickly enough. This causes the formation of a cavity or bubble around the object, known as a supercavity.
Inside the supercavity, the object experiences significantly reduced drag because it is effectively moving through air instead of water. This reduction in drag allows the object to achieve higher speeds with less resistance.
Maintaining the stability of the supercavity is crucial for successful supercavitation. Designing the shape of the object and managing the flow of water around it are important factors to ensure stability and prevent the collapse of the supercavity, which can cause significant drag and potentially damage the object.
Supercavitation has been studied for various applications, including underwater propulsion systems and torpedoes. It presents unique engineering and physics challenges due to the complexities involved in maintaining and controlling the supercavity.