Why is the speed of sound named “Mach 1”?
MACH is calulated as follows: MACH # = Speed of Object / Speed of Sound Therefore, the only time Mach can equal 1 is when the speed of the object is exactly the speed of sound. To learn more about how MACH is calculated, go here – http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/mach.html BuzbyB also referred a very good link with – http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictionary/sound_barrier/DI94.htm Enjoy!