Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
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Correct Answer: Option (D) — A is false but R is true
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference VerifiedAssertion (A) is false: Mach 1 equals the local speed of sound. The speed of sound in air is proportional to the square root of absolute temperature ($v = \sqrt{\gamma R T}$). At an altitude of 15 km (lower stratosphere), the temperature is significantly lower than at sea level, so the speed of sound is lower. Thus, Mach 1 corresponds to a lower true airspeed at 15 km than at sea level. Reason (R) is true: The velocity of sound in a gas is directly dependent on the absolute temperature of the medium.
Speed of sound drops as air gets colder. Higher altitude = colder troposphere/tropopause = slower speed of sound = slower actual speed at Mach 1.
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