Ok, so maybe I shouldve paid attention in science class but Im curious as to what thunder is caused by? Sometimes it's loud and sometimes its not so, but its a question thats been on my mind.
2007-02-07 04:14:44 · 5 answers · asked by farkasj16 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
That's a fair question, but perhaps you should have paid a little closer attention - right? Ok, here's the answer. Thunder is the sound of course that is emitted by the rapidly expanding gases along the channel of the electrical discharge. This temperature is so great that it causes this hugh compression wave that expands out in many directions. The sound varies of course by the distance it is away from you to begin with. Hope this helps a little. That's pretty much the story.
2007-02-07 04:22:51 · answer #1 · answered by 1ofSelby's 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning!
Lightning causes thunder. The electrostatic discharge superheats the surrounding air, causing it to expand in a compression wave that propogates at the speed of sound (approximately 1/4 mile per second). The loudness of the peal of thunder depends upon the size of the lightning discharge: bigger discharge, more air superheated, bigger compression wave. It also depends on distance: all things being equal, less volume with more distance.
2007-02-07 04:23:23 · answer #2 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's loudest when lightning occurs closest to you, and more muffled and distorted (more of a rumble) the farther away that the lightning is from you.
The greater the distance that the sound travels, the more that the sound waves are distorted by reflecting off of the ground (and stuff on the ground). Also, rumbling can occur when sound reaches you from different parts of the lightning stroke at the same time.
2007-02-07 04:33:30 · answer #3 · answered by tbom_01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Compression of air.
2007-02-07 04:22:22 · answer #4 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Angels bowling :)
2007-02-07 04:25:10 · answer #5 · answered by michaelbeisser 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋