what is the source of sound in the lightning?

Answer 1

It is a two-step process, though they happen so rapidly and so close together, it seems instant.

The sudden intense heating caused by the high current as it forces its way though the air heats the air and pushes it aside, leaving a partial vacuum. That is the first part. It usually produces a big cracking sound.

The second part is when the air suddenly collapses back together, filling the vacuum. This is a more prolonged, rumbling sound.

Answer 2

super heated air from the electricity passing through rapidly expands and contracts creating a concussion, which is a disturbance in the atmosphere... subsequently the sound of the clap. the rolling sound is the dispersal of the wave from interference over time as the "thunder" passes towards you. the time between the flash and the noise is due to the fact that sound travels just over 700 mph, and the distance the sound travels is normally fairly substantial.

consequently, i had lightning strike about thirty feet from me two weeks ago and i can tell you that from up close it's not a rolling sound, but more like an artillery cannon going off.

i'm going to edit due to some false information posted. while a sonic boom and a lightning strike sound similar, they are not related in the slightest. a sonic boom is caused by a conical buildup of trailing soundwaves behind a fast moving object whereas the sound of thunder is caused by expansion and collapse of the air where the lightning struck. I'll reiterate too that the expansion and collaps both together cause ONE sound, the initial boom you hear. the rolling sound following that is caused by interference along the ground causing dispersment of the wave.

Answer 3

thunder is the sound; lightning doesn't have a sound. And contrary to what damalujordan said, it has nothing to do with clouds.

Lightning occurs when there is an imbalance in the electrons (i.e., more positive electrons than negatives or vice versa). Lightning is merely the static discharge that results from this imbalance (which occurs most frequently in large storms because the moisture laden air is moving violently and turbulently).

Lightning can occur between clouds or between clouds and the ground or even in clear air (but it's rare.)

Answer 4

Sheesh people, thunder is the sound CREATED by lightning. The lightning is the source, the sound of thunder is the result. This ain't rocket science.

As noted correctly by one or two others, the superheated air essentially breaks the sound barrier. Thunder is little more than a rolling sonic boom.

Answer 5

I think you mean thunder.

Thunder happens because the lightning stroke is very hot. This warms up the surrounding air. The heated air then expnds so rapidly that the coller air is voiolently pushed out of the way. The effect, a sound the in effect is a sonic boom. That is what you hear as thunder.

Answer 6

Lightning doesn't make sound in itself. You hear thunder.

The source of the sound is actually from the light source itself. Light travels faster than sound, so you see the flash first. The sound follows it because it moves slower across the air.

So what I'm saying is, both happen at the same time. It is just a matter of timing that is different.

Answer 7

Lightning doesnt make sound. Thunder does. Thunder makes noise when two clouds that are filled to the max with electrons touch each other. When they first touch lightning is immediatly released then i think 3 seconds after you hear thunder.

Answer 8

The expansion of superheated air around the "bolt" of lightning.

Answer 9

thunder is created when the electricity moves through the air splitting the air apart, and then the air comes slamming back together to fill the vaccuum that was left. Its kinda like a sonic boom.

Answer 10

There is no sound in lightning.