A Sonic Boom is a loud, explosive sound caused by the shockwave created when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound. The speed of sound, also known as Mach 1, varies depending on factors such as temperature and altitude, but it is generally around 343 meters per second (1,125 feet per second) at sea level.
When an object, such as an aircraft, exceeds the speed of sound, it creates a rapid compression of air molecules in front of it. As the object continues to move, this compression turns into a shockwave, which is a sudden and intense pressure wave. When the shockwave reaches the ground, or when it reaches an observer, it is heard as a sonic boom—a loud and distinctive noise that resembles a loud clap or thunder.