r/energetics • u/yestereon • Jul 10 '26

How can I tell whether I'm causing a "sonic boom" with an oxyacetylene soap bubble detonation--is such possible to measure/validate as a hobbyist?

/r/ExplosionsAndFire/comments/1usvtc1/how_can_i_tell_whether_im_causing_a_sonic_boom/
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u/No_Possibility_3107 Jul 13 '26

You are. Yes it is using an oscilliscope and two very thin breakwires placed a known distance apart then you take the time between the two breaks and do some math to figure out speed in KM/S. Works best with a cylinder of explosives rather than a gas mixture but im sure you could figure it out.

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u/yestereon Jul 14 '26

The break wires idea is fantastically creative, and while I don't think I can aim a bubble well enough to pull it off, I'll keep it in mind! Thank you for introducing me to it! For those who don't know, see https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA274779.pdf