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Q:
At speeds approaching Mach 1, where will a shockwave first appear?
A:
Depending on the shape of an aircraft, a shockwave will first appear on the aircraft where the airflow is flowing faster than the speed of sound. Generally, as an aircraft approaches the speed of sound (Mach 1) the air flowing over the wings will reach supersonic speeds first. This causes a shockwave to form on the wings.
Posted on April 29, 2013 at 9:22 am
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