2007-03-28 11:55:37 · 11 answers · asked by matt p 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The transmission of sound is relative. We normally consider it a function of waves moving through air and striking our ears.
If you are under water the vibrations move very quickly through water but you still hear.
In the supersonic aircraft, the pilot will hear normally. What he hears will be vibrations transmitted by the air in his cockpit. That air is traveling at the same speed he is so the vibrations moving through that air travels at the normal speed of sound relative to the pilot.
The sound waves in that air are created from vibrations in the frame of the aircraft. They may come from forces created by the air outside of the aircraft, by engine noise, by the air conditioning system.
What the pilot cannot hear is noise that was created outside of the aircraft at a location behind the aircraft. His movement, relative to that source of sound, is too fast for the sound to catch up. He may hear a sound coming toward him from the front, but there wound be a significant increase in pitch due to the Doppler effect.
2007-03-28 12:12:24 · answer #1 · answered by Philip H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He hears everything normally. Think about this: The Concorde regularly made passenger flights across the Atlantic at faster than the speed of sound. If the pilot couldn't hear anything, then the passengers wouldn't be able to, either.
That's not the case. The passengers heard everything, just as they would on any other flight. This is because the air inside the plane is moving right along with them.
2007-03-28 19:09:42 · answer #2 · answered by merlot7799 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
nothing a shock wave is formed when the sound cant catch up with the plane it starts ricocheting back into a cone shape and you would hear nothing...
I have a question for you! If your driving in a car at the speed of light what happens when you turn the headlights on?
2007-03-28 18:59:51 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The air in his cockpit is hopefully not moving faster than sound. He hears his radio and plane.
2007-03-28 18:58:36 · answer #4 · answered by bravozulu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think he would hear sound normally but they may have special type of phones that produces clear voice
2007-03-29 04:11:25 · answer #5 · answered by PearL 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The voice of his commander on the radio, telling him to slow down because he's over Cleveland.
2007-03-28 19:03:11 · answer #6 · answered by Lee H 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
loud engines from the plane or his radio to contact the control tower
2007-03-28 23:05:46 · answer #7 · answered by kameo_44 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The rumble of his jet engine, same as any other time just a louder.
2007-03-28 19:04:21 · answer #8 · answered by Balddragn 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Anything that's not outside the plane.
2007-03-28 19:09:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
everything he hears should be one octave higher than normal.
2007-03-28 18:57:58 · answer #10 · answered by savage708 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋