Typically, when air is displaced by a pressure wave, it moves at the speed of sound. These pressure waves can be generated from one's vocal cords (when speaking), the vibration of an object, or the impact of one object against another. However, in certain cases, the pressure wave is generated by a collision between air parcels, such as when lightning heats the air immediately around it. This rapidly-expanding air crashes into the cooler air around it, generating a massive spike in pressure followed by a sharp drop-off. It is this sharp spike and drop-off combination that differentiates a sound wave and a shock wave. Shock waves can be either naturally generated, in the case of volcanic eruptions, lightning strikes, and asteroid impacts; however, they can also be generated through man-made means, such as explosives that derive their power either from chemical energy that is converted into thermal energy or by way of nuclear fission or fusion. If the pressure differential occurs in air where clouds can condense, the act of high pressure passing through the area and low pressure following can cause temporary "Wilson clouds" to form.
The shock wave generated by the explosion in Beirut generated Wilson ring clouds and severely damaged the city of Lebanon.
by Tornadopelt May 17, 2022
Get the shock wavemug. Infant electro shock weapon theory is the theory that you can get an infant to change their dominant hand by using an electro shock weapon on them when ever they use their dominant hand. Insides the mind of a baby the baby correlates using their right hand (the majority of the population is right handed) with pain so they don't use it any more. This is also sort of like reinforcement learning in computer science.
by someStranger8 October 12, 2022
Get the Infant electro shock weapon theorymug. by Darknessdeth May 25, 2011
Get the Shock the wave and ride the ripplemug. by ABraveBoy March 12, 2022
Get the Shock Jockmug. by Adujasty343 June 8, 2025
Get the <.7.9.7.6.>Notion Rhetorical Yet Shocked AnUdA Awed Notion<.7.9.7.6.>mug. Any form of media (image, video, GIF) on the Internet designed to disturb, unsettle and traumatize any unfortunate to view. Generally shared by Edgelords.
-Watch this live clip I found, its rlly funny (link)
(Shock Content: Link leads to Ronnie Mcnutt suicide stream)
-wtf how is that funny
-cuz you soft
(Shock Content: Link leads to Ronnie Mcnutt suicide stream)
-wtf how is that funny
-cuz you soft
by BalOrbOvrBob July 11, 2021
Get the Shock Contentmug. Me: BAM SHOCK DODGE!
by Bossboy28 August 20, 2021
Get the Bam Shock Dodgemug.