Is it true that when you count the seconds between the bolt and the thunder the seconds equal how many miles away the bolt is from you.
2007-03-21 10:03:35 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Light and Sound are released at the same time, light is faster. The distance between you and the bolt depends on the prevailing temperature.
But typically and normally, if you hear the sound of the thunder 10 secs later then you can judge the bolt occurs about 3.4 km meters away from you.
2007-03-21 10:17:24 · answer #1 · answered by Kenny2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sound travels at ~1100 ft/sec in air at sea level. There are 5280 ft/mi. Therefore it takes ~5280/1100 seconds for sound to travel one mile, which is a little less than 5 seconds, but close enough.
Count the number of seconds and divide by five to get the distance to the sound source.
2007-03-21 17:24:14 · answer #2 · answered by snake_slinger 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That does give a rough estimate of the distance. And it is based on the speed of sound vs light through air.
2007-03-21 17:11:59 · answer #3 · answered by matt b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, i am a wanna-be-meteorologist, 5 seconds equals 1 mile.
2007-03-21 23:08:23 · answer #4 · answered by Violina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5 sec = one mile
speed of light vs speed of sound in air
2007-03-21 17:06:25 · answer #5 · answered by flowerpet56 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thats what ive heard
2007-03-21 17:06:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
its true. There was some formula but i forgot
2007-03-21 19:44:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋