Final answer:
When a jet breaks the sound barrier, it creates a shock wave called a sonic boom. The sonic boom is a result of constructive interference of sound waves. Supersonic flights are banned over populated areas due to the destructive nature of sonic booms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a jet breaks the sound barrier, it creates a shock wave called a sonic boom. This happens because the jet is moving faster than the speed of sound. The sonic boom is a result of constructive interference of sound waves, which creates a disturbance.
As the jet approaches the speed of sound, the sound waves in front of it get compressed, leading to a higher air pressure. Once the jet surpasses the speed of sound, the compressed sound waves form a shock wave that travels along with the jet.
The sonic boom can be heard as a loud noise on the ground, and if the aircraft flies close by at a low altitude, the high pressures in the sonic boom can break windows and cause damage. Because of this, supersonic flights are banned over populated areas.