October 31, 2010

• Alcatraz

  Science lesson of the day:
  Although the plane isn't supersonic, air around the plane is accelerated to supersonic speed when it encounters an obstruction on the flow. Shocks within the supersonic flow produce large gradients in air density and index of refraction, bending the light differentially on either side of the shock. Those pressure waves can be seen radiating from specific points on the aircraft.
  (definition from: http://home.comcast.net/~bzee1b/home.html)

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  • 5:16 pm
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