Final answer:
The formation of a shockwave on the upper surface of an aircraft's wing, when it moves faster than the speed of sound, results in a sonic boom. Sonic booms can cause disruptive noise and physical damage if the aircraft is close to the ground over populated areas. Therefore, supersonic flights over these areas are banned.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formation of a shockwave on the upper surface of the wing can cause a number of phenomena, most notably a sonic boom. A shockwave is generated when an aircraft moves faster than the speed of sound, leading to an abrupt increase in pressure and density of the air particles. This condition leads to the formation of two shock waves, one originating from the nose and the other from the tail of the aircraft, which can be observed on the ground as sonic booms after the plane has passed.
These powerful and quick-moving pressure waves are capable of producing loud booms, which are often heard during the landing of space shuttles. If an aircraft flies low enough, the pressure from the sonic boom has the potential to be quite destructive, causing damage such as broken windows and creating loud noise that can rattle nerves. Therefore, due to the disruptive and potentially damaging effects, flights at supersonic speeds are prohibited over populated areas to avoid the impact of sonic booms on communities.
The principles involved in aircraft wing design, like Bernoulli's principle and Newton's third law, focus on maintaining lift. These principles explain how varying air pressures around the wing create the force required to lift the plane. However, it's important to note that when dealing with the speeds at which shockwaves are generated, additional factors such as turbulence come into play.