+31 votes
in Sound by
edited by

Your answer

Your name to display (optional):
Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.
+25 votes
by

No, besides the Concorde, no other airliner has intentionally or unintentionally broken the sound barrier and survived. The Concorde was a supersonic passenger aircraft that operated from 1976 to 2003. It was specifically designed to fly at speeds exceeding the speed of sound, known as supersonic speeds.

Most conventional airliners, such as Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s, are not designed to sustain supersonic speeds. They are built to operate efficiently at subsonic speeds, typically below Mach 0.9. These aircraft are not structurally reinforced to handle the aerodynamic forces and stresses associated with supersonic flight.

If a conventional airliner were to accidentally exceed the speed of sound, it could potentially experience severe structural damage and loss of control due to the shock waves and increased aerodynamic forces. Breaking the sound barrier unintentionally is considered a dangerous situation and would likely pose significant risks to the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.

It's worth noting that there are ongoing efforts in the aerospace industry to develop supersonic commercial aircraft for future travel. However, these designs incorporate advanced materials, technologies, and structural reinforcements to handle the unique challenges of supersonic flight.

Welcome to Physicsgurus Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...