+23 votes
in Speed of Light by
edited by

Your answer

Your name to display (optional):
Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.
+22 votes
by

No, a bullet does not make a sound if it travels faster than the speed of sound. When an object, such as a bullet, exceeds the speed of sound, it creates a shock wave known as a "sonic boom." The sonic boom is a result of the object pushing through the air at a speed faster than the sound waves it generates.

However, it's important to note that a bullet itself does make a sound when it is traveling below the speed of sound. This sound is commonly referred to as the "muzzle blast" and is generated by the rapid expansion of gases and the bullet's interaction with the surrounding air as it leaves the firearm's barrel.

When a bullet surpasses the speed of sound, the shock wave it generates moves ahead of the bullet itself. This shock wave can produce a distinct and often loud sonic boom, similar to the sound produced by supersonic aircraft. However, the bullet itself, as it travels through the air faster than the sound it generates, does not produce any additional sound.

Therefore, if you were to observe a bullet traveling faster than the speed of sound, you would not hear the bullet itself, but you might hear the sonic boom associated with it.

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