2007-09-28 14:39:21 · 4 answers · asked by oninski 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
High frequencies get filtered by the atmosphere, or are damped out with distance, leaving only the lower frequencies, which can transmit significant distances. This is why you can hear the bass of a loud car stereo but not the treble.
2007-09-28 14:52:58 · answer #1 · answered by gcnp58 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The crack is actually followed by rumble, it is just less noticeable. If you watch lighting there is usually one main bolt toching the ground and many small forks going out from the main bolt. The rumble is all of these tiny bolts and the crack is the main one.
The reason there is more of a rumble from far away strikes is because these small lightning forks go out in every direction. Some are closer and some are farther away than the main bolt. That's why you hear a rumble then a loud crack and then more rumble when lighting is far away. Also, different parts of the bolt are different distances away from your ears. When lightning is close all these forks are about the same distance away from you since the main bolt is right above you. So there is not much of a rumble, allthough there is some. A diagram shows this well but I can't find one.
2007-09-28 21:52:16 · answer #2 · answered by fhjdkd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The crack is the sonic shock wave generated by the lightning. The thunder is that same shock wave and its echoes propagating over many paths to get to you. Some of the rumble is the air collapsing back into the channel vacated by the lightning.
2007-09-29 02:27:34 · answer #3 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Dopler Effect...
2007-09-28 21:46:00 · answer #4 · answered by reverendlovejoy75 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋