When traveling at the speed of sound, what would surrounding noises sound like? Such as a horn behind the car, in front of the car, or inside of the car?
by 
NOYFB
ANSWERS: 4
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if you are going faster than the speed of sound i think you will hear nothing at all
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Sound is dependent on frame of reference. Therefore, inside the car, you would hear the sound normally, because the object making the sound is moving with the car. In front of the car, the frequency of the sound waves would be at a higher pitch. Behind the car, you would hear nothing.
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We've only ever had one car briefly touch the speed of sound: In front of the car: "0909 - SSC is approaching the measured mile. You put down your cameras - pictures can never come before safety - and pick up the microphone. This is the first time you have watched the SSC for the full length of the measured mile - and it is staggering how fast the jet-car is moving. There is no noise - the car is arriving faster than the sound of the exhausts." and "Further down the tracks the shockwave arrives before the decelerating car and the sound is far more distinctive without the roar of the Speys." In the car: Nothing mentioned, but I would imagine that the sounds would be the kind you'd expect with vibrations from the ground and two engines generating 40,000lbs of thrust inches away from your crash helmet! Behind the car: '0937 - The sonic booms heard at Mile 9 are described as "absolutely amazing, two loud cracks like two thunderflashes going off." You heard the boom at Mile 7 - but is not easy to be sure.' http://www.thrustssc.com/Story_To_Date/Story_To_Date.html
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The horn inside the car would sound the same, the horn in front of the car would sound high pitched, with its frequency doubled. You wouldn't hear the horn behind the car because you'd outpace its sound waves.
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