Supersonic planes fly

Appeared in: UPPSC 2022

Explanation

The term 'supersonic' is derived from Latin roots: 'super' meaning 'above' or 'beyond', and 'sonic' relating to sound.
Therefore, supersonic flight literally means flying at a speed above or greater than the speed of sound.
This speed regime is formally defined as any speed over Mach 1, where Mach 1 is the speed of sound.
At sea level, the speed of sound is approximately 343 m/s or 1,235 km/h.

Option A: Flying at the speed of sound is not 'supersonic'.
Option B: Flying at a speed less than the speed of sound is the opposite of supersonic.
Option D: The speed of light is a cosmic speed limit that is vastly greater than the speed of sound and is physically unattainable for any object with mass.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition of Supersonic Flight as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a general knowledge question testing basic physics concepts rather than clinical nursing skills.
Understanding terms related to speed and physics can be helpful in interpreting technical information and contributes to a broader knowledge base.
What if the question asked about 'subsonic' planes? Then the correct answer would be 'with the speed less than the speed of sound', as this is the standard operational speed for commercial airliners.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the keyword 'supersonic' in the question stem.
Break down the word into its components: 'super-' (meaning 'above' or 'beyond') and 'sonic' (meaning 'related to sound').
Combine the meanings: 'supersonic' implies a speed 'above the speed of sound'.
Scan the options to find the one that matches this definition.
Option C, 'with the speed greater than the speed of sound', is a direct match.
Briefly consider the other options to confirm their incorrectness: 'less than sound' is subsonic, 'at the speed of sound' is transonic, and 'speed of light' is a different physical concept altogether.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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