Eli5: How can a shock wave, as from an explosion, travel faster than the speed of sound?
In: Physics
A shockwave IS sound, so by definition it is always travelling at the speed of sound. Or more accurately put, a shockwave (and sound) are pressure waves, and pressure waves travel at a specific speed depending on the exact conditions of what they are travelling through. This exact value changes depending on the medium, and the temperature. But nonetheless it is ALWAYS travelling at the speed of sound.
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