2006-09-21 14:07:28 · 9 answers · asked by chops 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Well, because lightning rapidly expands the air and thus creates a boom. You'll see the lightning and then hear the thunder a little later because light travels much faster than sound.
2006-09-21 14:10:26 · answer #1 · answered by Shaun 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lightning is a massive spark, no different from when you spark your mate after rubbing you shoes on a nylon carpet.
The reason it goes on for some seconds, is partly due to reverberation off hills, mountians, buildings etc, but mainly due to the relatively slow speed of sound.
If you imagine that the lightning spark is 3000 feet long, and strikes fairly near you. The sound from the nearer part gets to you first, and all the sound from farther and farther up is delayed by the slow speed of sound, resulting in the part 3000 feet up taking nearly three seconds to reach you.
Thus, in that example, the thunder will appear to roll for three seconds, when in fact all the sound left the lightning almost instantly.
2006-09-21 21:46:23 · answer #2 · answered by nick s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The heat from the high-voltage lightning causes a shock wave to form, which propagates at the speed of sound (about 1100 feet per second) and which we hear as thunder.
2006-09-21 21:10:47 · answer #3 · answered by David A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the heat of the lightning as it strikes causes the air molecules to separate. after the strike the air molecules rush to get back into the place they were before and cause a loud clap. this clap is similar to a sonic boom from a jet that goes faster than the speed of sound.
2006-09-21 21:13:49 · answer #4 · answered by bgdaddy6963136 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because lighting is so hot that it superheats the air around it and causes the molecules in the air to seperate faster than the speed of sound causing a sonic boom.
2006-09-21 21:13:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the electricity in the lightning superheats the molecules of air around it, causing a very intense shockwaves of air, which eventually reaches your ear, causing the thunder
2006-09-21 21:10:33 · answer #6 · answered by cardsfan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The immediate displacement and heating of the air causes sound waves - I'm sure you have heard the small clicks of static Its the same thing but much bigger. If your wondering why you hear it later you first answer says why.
2006-09-21 21:10:14 · answer #7 · answered by likeitis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light travels much faster than the speed of sound.
2006-09-21 21:09:04 · answer #8 · answered by im_shady77 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
clouds collide
2006-09-23 09:43:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋