Turtle graphics is really good for demonstrating shockwaves.
Decide on the speed of your turtle (eg, speed "1" is the speed of sound). At the start point of your turtle, draw a circle of radius 10. Move the turtle forward by it's speed, and draw another circle, this time of radius 9. Repeat moving the turtle, and drawing circles of decreasing radius.
If the turtles moving at a subsonic speed, the newer wave fronts won't catch up with the old ones. As the speed increases, they get closer, until you get get a sonic boom.
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Date: 2007-05-18 02:54 pm (UTC)Decide on the speed of your turtle (eg, speed "1" is the speed of sound).
At the start point of your turtle, draw a circle of radius 10.
Move the turtle forward by it's speed, and draw another circle, this time of radius 9.
Repeat moving the turtle, and drawing circles of decreasing radius.
If the turtles moving at a subsonic speed, the newer wave fronts won't catch up with the old ones. As the speed increases, they get closer, until you get get a sonic boom.
It's really kind of nice :)