Eli5 what is the force behind a sonic boom?

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I know it comes from breaking the sound barrier, but why a boom instead of complete silence?
I have the understanding it creates a physical wave too.
Bonus questions: Does the pilot hear it?

Can the same thing be achieved underwater?

Related: I know the speed of sound is faster under water, does any reaction happen theoretically at the air speed of sound underwater?

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13 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Sound is literally preasure waves moving through the air, sonic booms are when a ton of these pressure waves end up stacking on top of each other combining their aplitude and thus their perceived volume by us.

In other words one Giant sound wave is literally one giant preasure wave. Giant preasure waves can move or damage things

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