Final answer:
A sonic boom occurs when an object exceeds the speed of sound, about 343 m/s at sea level, leading to the creation of shock waves due to the build-up and merging of sound waves.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sonic boom is produced when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound, which is approximately 343 meters per second (m/s) at sea level and at a temperature of 20°C. When this speed is exceeded, the object generates a large amount of sound energy that leads to the formation of shock waves, manifesting as a sonic boom.
A sonic boom occurs because the object is moving faster than the sound waves it creates, leading to a build-up of sound waves that merge into a single shock wave. To experience a sonic boom, an object must be traveling at a speed greater than the speed of sound in the relevant medium, which is a condition known as supersonic speed. The speed requirement varies with altitude and temperature, as these factors affect the speed of sound.