Final answer:
In level supersonic flight, an airplane creates two sonic booms, one from its nose and one from its tail. In level supersonic flight, an aircraft generates two main shock waves that cause sonic booms, observed from the nose and tail of the aircraft.
Step-by-step explanation:
In level supersonic flight, an airplane creates two sonic booms, one from its nose and one from its tail. These sonic booms are a result of constructive interference of sound waves arriving simultaneously. The interference is mostly destructive inside the cone of the sonic boom, resulting in lower sound intensity.
In level supersonic flight, an aircraft generates two main shock waves that cause sonic booms, observed from the nose and tail of the aircraft. The creation of these booms is due to constructive interference, and their potential for destruction leads to bans on supersonic flights over populated areas.
When an airplane is in level supersonic flight, it is true that a pattern of shock waves is developed which tend to combine into two main shocks. These shock waves originate from the nose and the tail of the aircraft, causing two sonic booms that can be observed on the ground after the plane has passed by. The creation of these booms is due to the superposition of sound waves, a phenomenon known as constructive interference. The interference inside the cone behind the aircraft is mostly destructive, resulting in less sound intensity within the cone compared to on the shock wave itself.
These sonic booms have practical implications. Due to their destructive potential, such as breaking windows and rattling nerves, supersonic flights are banned over populated areas in the United States. The two distinct booms, associated with the nose and tail of the aircraft, were commonly heard during space shuttle landings, separated by the time it would take the shuttle to pass a given point.