2007-06-08 04:44:55 · 6 answers · asked by kingkid1028 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
When the electric current from a lightning stroke passes through the air, it heats the air. That's the flash that you see. The heated air expands very quickly and produces a sound wave.
Note that the sound of thunder is quite distinct because a lightning flash may be several miles in length. You hear the sound from the part of the flash that's nearest to you first, since the sound wave is produced all at once down the length of the zig-zag stroke, you'll continue to hear the other parts of the thunder for several seconds before it's all over.
2007-06-08 04:55:33 · answer #1 · answered by 2n2222 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thunder is the sound that accompanies lightening. When lightening strikes, the high voltage arc ionizes the air into + and - charged particles which causes the light. These ions rapidly combine back together causing the noise.
Because light travels at 186,000 miles / hour the lightening moves rapidly. Sound travels at 720 miles / hour - so the thunder can be heard a while after the lightening is seen.
2007-06-08 13:33:14 · answer #2 · answered by GTB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning is very hot. As it shoots through the air, it heats the air an awful lot, and very quickly. The air expands away from the lightning at high speed, creating the BOOM. Sounds are just waves through the air.
2007-06-08 11:49:20 · answer #3 · answered by rbanzai 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the sound produced by lightning.
2007-06-08 11:48:31 · answer #4 · answered by Worm Brain 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a big boom and a crash.
2007-06-08 11:47:06 · answer #5 · answered by Oh hi there. 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
me!!! :D
2007-06-08 11:46:52 · answer #6 · answered by thunder217 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋