Question 1

What is the sound barrier?

Accepted Answer

The speed of sound (Mach 1). Aircraft experience shockwaves and drag increase near Mach 1. "Breaking" it means going supersonic.

Question 2

What was the first aircraft to break the sound barrier?

Accepted Answer

Chuck Yeager in the Bell X-1 on October 14, 1947. He reached Mach 1.06 at 43,000 feet altitude.

Question 3

What's the fastest speed possible?

Accepted Answer

The speed of light (299,792,458 m/s or about 670 million mph) is the universal speed limit. Nothing with mass can reach it.

Question 4

Why do pilots and sailors use knots?

Accepted Answer

One knot = one nautical mile per hour. Nautical miles relate directly to Earth's latitude (1 nm = 1 minute of latitude), simplifying navigation.

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