Mach Number Calculator
Calculate the Mach number of an object as the ratio of its speed to the local speed of sound: M = v / v_sound.
Mach Number
1.980
Mach Number vs Object Speed
Fórmula
## Mach Number The Mach number is a dimensionless ratio comparing an object's speed to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium. ### Formula **M = v / v_sound** - M < 1: subsonic - M = 1: sonic (speed of sound) - M > 1: supersonic - M > 5: hypersonic
Ejemplo Resuelto
An aircraft flying at 680 m/s in air at 20 degrees C.
- 01v_sound = 331.3 + 0.606 * 20 = 343.4 m/s
- 02M = 680 / 343.4
- 03M = 1.980
- 04The aircraft is supersonic (M > 1)
Preguntas Frecuentes
What happens at Mach 1?
At Mach 1, a shock wave forms around the object, producing a sonic boom. This is called the sound barrier.
Does the speed of sound change with altitude?
Yes. Temperature decreases with altitude, so the speed of sound also decreases, meaning the same airspeed gives a higher Mach number at altitude.
What is the fastest manned aircraft?
The SR-71 Blackbird reached about Mach 3.3. The X-15 experimental aircraft reached Mach 6.7.
Aprender