The speed of a shock wave, also known as the shock wave velocity, depends on the medium through which it is propagating. In different mediums, such as air, water, or solids, the speed of a shock wave can vary.
In a compressible medium like air, the speed of a shock wave can exceed the speed of sound in that medium. The speed of sound, denoted as "c," depends on factors such as temperature, pressure, and the specific properties of the medium. In dry air at sea level and room temperature, the speed of sound is approximately 343 meters per second (or about 1,125 feet per second).
When an object moves through a fluid medium faster than the local speed of sound, it generates a shock wave. The speed of the shock wave, denoted as "V," is determined by the object's velocity relative to the medium. It can be calculated using the equation:
V = c + u
where "c" is the speed of sound in the medium, and "u" is the velocity of the object relative to the medium.
In summary, the speed of a shock wave is dependent on the speed of sound in the medium and the velocity of the object generating the shock wave relative to that medium.