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From Cecil's Mailbag by the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board


Is the sound of a whiplash caused by breaking the sound barrier?


Dear Straight Dope:

What is the sound a whip makes? I once heard it was the tip of the whip breaking the sound barrier. --DWSKAMS

SDSTAFF Dogster replies:

Yep. The noise is actually a mini-sonic boom as the tip of the whip breaks the sound barrier. Now behave, or you won't even hear it coming.

--Yer dog
SDSTAFF Dogster
Straight Dope Science Advisory Board

[Comment on this answer.]

Cecil's Mailbag is researched and written by members of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board, Cecil's online auxiliary. Although the SDSAB does its best, these articles are edited by Ed Zotti, not Cecil, so accuracywise you'd better keep your fingers crossed.


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