Best of Web 2018 – Michael Johnson

Best of Web 2018 – Michael Johnson

Above is a picture of a bullet as it travels at supersonic speed. As the bullet travels through the air it traps air at the front of the bullet due to its supersonic velocity. This air at the front of the bullet forms a shock wave which you can see visualized here. It is this shock wave that is part of the noise you hear when a gun is fired. At the rear of the bullet you can see a low pressure area and the eddies that formed there.

 

Andrew Davidhaz – Rochester Institute of Technology 

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3 Comments. Leave new

  • Zachary Hinck
    Feb 2, 2018 10:31

    3rd place. I like how you can actually see the air bend around the front of the bullet and the zone behind the bullet creates a turbulent flow.

    Reply
  • Sulaiman Alduaij
    Feb 2, 2018 04:50

    Third prize – I really like how the hot air behind the bullet looks very similar to exhaust gases. Also the way the air looks in front of the bullet due to the supersonic speed making it look like a curtain of air. Just thinking about the technology used to take a picture of a bullet in supersonic speed is amazing.

    Reply
  • Galen Melchert
    Feb 2, 2018 01:52

    3rd place. This is fucking cool. What’s the other supersonic piece flying behind?

    Reply

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