At sea level a plane must exceed 741 mph to break the sound barrier,
or the speed at which sound travels. The change in pressure as the
plane outruns all of the pressure and sound waves in front of it is
heard on the ground as an explosion or sonic boom. The pressure change
condenses the water in the air as the jet passes these waves. Altitude,
wind speed, humidity, the shape and trajectory of the plane - all of
these affect the breaking of this barrier. The slightest drag or
atmospheric pull on the plane shatters the vapor oval like fireworks
as the plane passes through, you see this vapor flicker around the plane
that gets bigger and bigger. You get this loud boom, and it's instantaneous.
The vapor cloud is there, and then it's not there.
It's the coolest thing you have ever seen.
Download this short video of an F/A 18 breaking the sound barrier
This graphic shows the shock wave as it forms
in front of and behind the aircraft
Click on the thumbnail image for a larger version
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