2007-03-25 10:18:17 · 6 answers · asked by Nerd Boy 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Starting counting when you see the flash. The sound takes about *five* seconds per mile to get to you.
2007-03-25 10:21:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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Can you calculate how far away lightning struck by how long it takes for the thunder to arrive?
Sound travels through air at "the speed of sound." Officially, the speed of sound is 331.3 meters per second (1,087 feet per second) in dry air at 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). At a temperature like 28 degrees C (82 degrees F), the speed is 346 meters per second.
As you can see, the speed of sound changes depending on the temperature and the humidity; but if you want a round number, then something like 350 meters per second and 1,200 feet per second are reasonable numbers to use. So sound travels 1 kilometer in roughly 3 seconds and 1 mile in roughly 5 seconds.
Look familiar? Above is a cut and paste from:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/question182.htm
This so-called answerer above sets up questions through shills and then plagarizes answers from other web sites. Either his shill picks his as Best Answer, or, if he answers a question from someone not his shill, gets them all to vote for his answer. Great way to run up a high score quickly.
2007-03-25 14:43:15 · answer #2 · answered by dollhaus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can, Sound travels through air at "the speed of sound." Officially, the speed of sound is 331.3 meters per second (1,087 feet per second) in dry air at 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). At a temperature like 28 degrees C (82 degrees F), the speed is 346 meters per second.
As you can see, the speed of sound changes depending on the temperature and the humidity; but if you want a round number, then something like 350 meters per second and 1,200 feet per second are reasonable numbers to use. So sound travels 1 kilometer in roughly 3 seconds and 1 mile in roughly 5 seconds.
When you see the flash of a lightning bolt, you can start counting seconds and then divide to see how far away the lightning struck. If it takes 10 seconds for the thunder to roll in, the lightning struck about 2 miles or 3 kilometers away.
2007-03-25 10:21:22 · answer #3 · answered by THEGURU 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure you have the answers by now but i will comment on how inaccurate they are ( use as an estimate only ) due to the variables of sound traveling through moist air and reflecting off the surrounding terrain
2007-03-25 10:23:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
7 seconds equal about 1 mile
2007-03-25 10:20:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES
2007-03-26 07:04:56 · answer #6 · answered by Bettee62 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋