Breaking the speed of sound

For the first time since 2003, a civilian (nonmilitary) aeroplane has gone supersonic. This means it travelled faster than the speed of sound. The XB-1 jet managed the feat above the Mojave Desert in California, US, during its 12th test flight. The speed of sound is the speed at which sound waves travel through a substance. When sound travels through air, its speed changes depending on its altitude. Altitude is how high something is above sea level. In normal conditions at sea level, the speed of sound is about 761 miles per hour but higher up it travels a bit more slowly. Flown by pilot Tristan Brandenburg, the XB-1 reached an altitude of 10,700 metres, before accelerating to 750 miles per hour. This was about 12% faster than the speed…

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The Week Junior (UK) (Digital) - 1 Issue, 479

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