A shock wave is generated when an object exceeds which speed?

A shock wave is generated when an object exceeds the speed of sound. This phenomenon occurs because as an object travels faster than sound, it compresses the air in front of it, creating a sudden change in pressure that propagates outward in all directions. This results in a shock wave, which is often heard as a sonic boom. The speed of sound varies with environmental conditions, such as temperature and pressure, but is generally around 343 meters per second (1,125 feet per second) in dry air at sea level at 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).

Understanding this principle is crucial in fields that involve aerodynamics and explosive safety, as managing and predicting shock waves can greatly affect safety measures and protocols. The other speeds mentioned in the options do not relate to the creation of a shock wave in the same context.