What do you have to multiply how long the strike is from the roll to get how many miles away it is?
2007-06-21 14:48:35 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
When you see the flash, count "1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi,..." until you hear the boom.
Take the number you get and divide by 5, and that's approximately the number of miles away the lightning strike was.
You can do some complicated math if you like, but this works fine for everyday life.
2007-06-21 15:03:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sound travels at about five seconds per mile, so take the number of seconds and divide by 5. The result is the number of miles.
Example: 13 seconds between flash and thunder, 2 1/2 miles away.
2007-06-21 14:51:52 · answer #2 · answered by Keith P 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The speed of sound at sea level is ~1100 ft per second and a statute mile 5280 ft. Given this; start counting after you see a lightning flash and about every 5 seconds after you see lightning equates to ~one mile :)
2007-06-21 14:53:54 · answer #3 · answered by tim d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference between the sound and the lightening in seconds multiplied by the speed of sound, about 700 miles per hour.
2007-06-21 14:52:23 · answer #4 · answered by Steve C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lightning arc produces sudden expansion and contraction of air near it. This causes sudden change of air pressure resulting in the sound.
2016-05-17 06:54:20 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋