why does the thunder from distant lightning rumble while close lightning gives a sharp crack?

Question

physics pls

Answer 1

Because a stroke of lightning is several miles in length. The sound is emitted from all points of the stroke at about the same time, but they reach a single observer at different times. There's also a certain amount of echo as the sound bounces off layers of atmosphere at different temperatures.

A close lightning stroke gives an overwhelming kapow that pretty well attracts all the attention away from anything that comes later, but you still get after-roll from these as well. You just don't notice it much, being just happy to be alive.

Answer 2

With distant thunder you hear a bazillion echos from the ground, clouds, trees, buildings, etc. that add together between the initial sharp crack and the time it gets to you.

Doug

Answer 3

It is a matter of physics. The sound of thunder is a sonic boom. The sound produced when something breaks the sound barrier, like a jet. The cracking noise is the sound of static discharging.

Answer 4

amount of air between you and the lightning acts as a muffler...