2007-09-05 09:21:29 · 10 answers · asked by Greymatter 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Thunder is the sound made by lightning. Depending on the nature of the lightning and distance of the hearer, it can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble. It is produced by a sonic shock wave caused by the rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within a bolt of lightning.
a fraction of a second the air is heated to a temperature approaching 28,000 °C (50,000 °F)[1]. This heating causes it to expand outward, plowing into the surrounding cooler air at a speed faster than sound would travel in that cooler air. The outward-moving pulse that results is a shock wave, similar in principle to the shock wave formed by an explosion
2007-09-05 12:24:09 · answer #1 · answered by ghetto_wolf2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The speed of the bolt of lightning has nothing to do with making thunder.
The intense heat of the lightning bolt makes the thunder. Here is how it works. Lightning is an electric charge that is being dissipated through the process of channeling electrons from a negatively charged surface to a positive charged surface. This charge transfer creats extremely hot ions of gas that not only gives off light (the lightning we see) but also heat. The extreme heat excites air molecules adjacent to the lightning bolt. These extremely excited molecules create a pressure wave that moves out from the bolt of lightning. As the pressure wave reaches our ear, we hear thunder.
2007-09-05 09:44:39 · answer #2 · answered by malinmo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thunder is a result of lightning.
During a thunderstorm, electric charges build up in clouds. (The cause of this isn't specifically known.) When the charges get large enough, the energy is released in the form of a lightning bolt. All this energy causes the air immediately around the lightning bolt to heat up to 50,000 degrees fahrenheit. When the air heats up this much, it expands very quickly, and creates a shock wave that is heard as thunder.
2007-09-05 09:44:02 · answer #3 · answered by wdmc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The lightning discharge super heats the air causing it to expand very quickly, the shock wave from this travels outwards and this is heard as thunder. Lightning (the actual discharge) travels much slower than the speed of light.
2007-09-05 09:46:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both wrong. Lightning is a stream of billions of electrons which have mass and cannot possibly travel at the speed of light! What causes the boom is this: The air molecules that the electrons move through are superheated during the lightning strike, this heating forces the air to expand rapidly, making a loud boom.
2007-09-05 09:46:49 · answer #5 · answered by mojorisin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning-Lightning travels at the speed of light.When lightning strikes the air moves so fast away from it makes a boom sound.That is why there is always a lightning strike before thunder.
2007-09-05 09:27:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning heats the air around it to an incredible 30000 degrees celcious(54000 degrees F), five times hotter than the surface of the sun.This heat causes the air to expand very fast,i,e.,faster than the speed of sound.It is this which causes the crash of thunder.
2007-09-08 22:00:13 · answer #7 · answered by Arasan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thunder is the sound of lighting.light travels faster than sound so u see the lightning than hear the thunder.
2007-09-05 11:06:12 · answer #8 · answered by [[.♪♫Hose.Day.Ninja♫♪.]] 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hot and cold air colliding
2007-09-05 11:41:25 · answer #9 · answered by lil n 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i was going to say what he said too bad i was late =[
2007-09-05 09:29:21 · answer #10 · answered by [Erica.Hearts.Webkinz] 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋