MCAT Physics Question 103: Answer and Explanation

Home > MCAT Test > MCAT physics practice tests

Test Information

Question: 103

13. Shock waves have the greatest impact when the source is traveling:

  • A. just below the speed of sound.
  • B. exactly at the speed of sound.
  • C. just above the speed of sound.
  • D. well above the speed of sound.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

Shock waves are the buildup of wave fronts as the distance between those wave fronts decreases. This occurs maximally when an object is traveling at exactly the same speed as the wave is traveling (the speed of sound). Once an object moves faster than the speed of sound, some of the effects of the shock wave are mitigated because all of the wave fronts will trail behind the object, destructively interfering with each other.

Previous       Next