2007-10-26 07:21:59 · 7 answers · asked by Morne 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
because theres something called the sound barrier and when anything gos faster then he speed of sound it makes a terrible noise ever notice how its flash then the sound a bit later
2007-10-26 07:25:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Thunder is a type of "sonic boom" created by the rapid heating(due to lightning) and expansion of air faster than the speed of sound.The air should expand faster than the speed of sound to produce this sonic boom.Sonic booms generate enormous amount of sound energy like a big explosion.
2007-10-26 16:00:33 · answer #2 · answered by Arasan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes, if cloud to ground lightning is very close, you may hear a click or snap at the instant of the flash, before the thunder.
Snaps are occasionally heard from contact streamers connected to ground, that were close to you but didn't connect to the main leader propagating to ground, before another streamer further away successfully contacted the leader. If you are in a field far away from any houses and powerlines, any click heard during a lightning flash is most likely a failed contact streamer close to you.
A clicking sound at the instant of a close flash can sometimes be heard in or near houses. This click is electromagnetic in nature. Internal wiring in houses may move suddenly when inductive currents are generated, or powerlines nearby may spark due to an induced high voltage.
2007-10-26 07:29:40 · answer #3 · answered by SUPERMAN 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
When the bolt occurs the surrounding air is heated up almost instantly. The heated air blows outward at a high velocity, displacing the air around it. That displacement creates a shock wave expressed as a "big boom."
2007-10-26 07:33:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
G.V. has it right. The intense energy and heat from the bolt of lightning instantly superheats the air, which expands so rapidly it creates the loud rumble.
2007-10-26 07:30:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thunder is produced by a sonic shock wave caused by the rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within a bolt of lightning.
2007-10-26 07:25:58 · answer #6 · answered by G.V. 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
NICO is correct but then again wrong for this question
thunder is a product of the electricity (lightning) being so hot that the air expands, it is this expansion of the air that cracks, this does happen because of the rate of expansion exceeding the sound barrier
but thunder is basically an explosion, generated by the extreem heat of a lightning bolt
2007-10-26 07:27:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋