Can a sonic boom be weaponized?
Can a sonic boom be weaponized? Sure. It can shatter fragile objects and hurt your ears a lot, so it has some use, but not very useful. Unless the object causing the sonic boom is falling down on the enemy (like kinetic bombardment or something), it won't cause any real damage beyond shattered windows and cups.
Can the human body withstand a sonic boom?
Greater than 720 psf:16 damage to human eardrums. (Sonic booms created by supersonic aircraft flying at very low altitude that have generated over-pressure of between 20 and 144 psf have been experienced by observers without causing injury.) Greater than 2160 psf: damage to human lungs.
Can a human withstand a sonic boom?
The strongest sonic boom ever recorded was 7,000 Pa (144 psf) and it did not cause injury to the researchers who were exposed to it. The boom was produced by an F-4 flying just above the speed of sound at an altitude of 100 feet (30 m).
Why is sonic boom illegal?
Fifty years ago, the federal government banned all civilian supersonic flights over land. The rule prohibits non-military aircraft from flying faster than sound so their resulting sonic booms won't startle the public below or concern them about potential property damage.