answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Answer 1

Yes, John Dennis (1657 - 1734) devised a thunder and lightning stage effect for one of his plays which was a flop. He went to a performance of Macbeth and heard his effect being used, which led him to say "Damn them! They will not let my play run, but they steal my thunder!"

Yes, but not in the way you mean - thunder is the sound of the air being ripped apart when lightning strikes. The jump of the spark from the clouds to the ground creates a pressure wave in the air that we percieve as sound and refer to as thunder. You could make an instrument that creates lightning like sparking, but the sounds would be popping and buzzing. The instrument would probably be a Tesla coil.

Answer 2

It has been a lot of years since I had any science classes, BUT my recollection suggests that answer 1 is incorrect, in that the sound wave is not generated when the air is "ripped apart."

As I understand the process, the lightening bolt [an electrical ARC] ionizes a column of air, which results in great HEAT and THERMAL EXPANSION of the air within the column.

Then when the expanded air rapidly cools, it rapidly "shrinks," and the COLLISION of the air molecules RETURNING TO FILL THE VOID, creates the shock wave that we hear as a thunder "clap."

As answer 1 indicates, ANY spark discharge creates a sound. The ONLY difference in sound VOLUME between a lightening bolt and a static spark [as between your fingertip and a doorknob] is the amount of energy discharged in creating the arc.

Research facilities have been generating man-made lightening bolts for years. And, YES you could make an "instrument" to accomplish the same thing, IF you have enough money and knowhow.

Answer 3

Yes. There is video of such an instrument here: http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=o_PHLUvDZSg

Answer 4

If you check out the video in answer 4, note that the "Super Mario Theme" music soundtrack has been added, and what is the subject of the demonstration : music.

The arc [spark] "sound" is being fed to an amplifier, which is coupled to the static electric generator, using the music to modulate the static discharge ["lightning"].

The only sound of the arc discharge can only be heard during the first 10 seconds of the video, until they start the music audio input signal.

The original question says "make light and sound in a similar way?" The Van der Graf static electric generator in the video is only capable of creating a microscopic "lightning bolt" accompanied by a "microscopic" "thunder clap" [heard only a "sizzling" static sound].

Again, a true monster discharge arc could be generated, IF one had enough money for equipment, and the knowledge to create it. The technology and ability to do so has been around for a long time. Until someone is willing to spend a fortune to accomplish it, we will have to be satisfied with microscopic demonstration models such as the Van der Graf generator.

Answer 5

A respectable home made flash + bang lightning device can be made for nearly nothing. To get a firecracker type bang all that is needed is the flash circuit from a disposable camera, a short piece of plastic pipe, three screws and some wire. The spark length is typically a few millimeters long and, as I said, about as loud as a firecracker. Google "trigatron" for construction details.

Answer 6.

Lightning is about 10 times hotter than the surface of the sun. When a lightning bolt passes through the air it heats it very rapidly, thus causing the air to rapidly expand and compress. This compression is what we hear as thunder.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: If thunder is the sound of lightning could you make an instrument that will allow you to make light and sound in a similar way?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Music & Radio

What is Damian mcGinty's email from Celtic thunder?

Shraon Browne (producer/manager) does not allow e- mials, but here is an address for letters/ fan mail: Damian McGinty Celtic Thunder P.O.Box 298 Derry BT48DR Northern Ireland


Are conga stands similar to cymbal stands for drums?

Two different styles of conga stand exist. One is tripod shaped and the conga sits with its base supported by a ring which is supported by the tripod. With the other style, the congas are side mounted and hang from the stand. They both do a similar job to a cymbal stand, in that they allow the percussion instrument to be supported and moved into position. However the shape of the stands are significantly different.


How do you make a sound wave instrument?

The only two that come to mind is a rain stick and a flat board of plastic or metal to resemble thunder when you whip it. Other than that, depending on the weather you are trying to assimilate, we live in the age of synthesizers, and sound samples. To make a thunder sound, get a pringles tube and attach a long spring wire into the bottom. Then take the lid off the tube and shake it. Or hit it ... Or twang the springy wire...I'm not sure.


Do Euphoniums have water valves?

Yes they do, but they are actually called water keys or spit valves. Water keys allow you to empty liquid that builds up in the instrument that is formed by a combination of condensation and saliva.


What is the largest keyboard instrument?

Pipe organs are considerably larger than any other keyboard instrument. The largest pipe organ is in the Atlantic City Convention Center. It has over 30,000 pipes, the largest of which is over 60 feet long, and has a 90 degree bend to allow it to fit inside the pipe chamber. It also has 7 manual keyboards and a pedal keyboard. The largest working pipe organ is in Wanamaker's Department store in Philadelphia. It is nearly as large as the Atlantic City instrument, and is used to entertain shoppers.

Related questions

What is the definition of an uninterruptible power supply?

In case of a power outage, there is a backup that will allow the electricity in your home to work. This is a great type of power to have for your home especially during thunder and lightning storms.


What are some yugioh cards that allow you to discard cards from your hand?

One of them for sure is Lightning Vortex.


Would a lightning rod mounted on the first floor of a tall building work?

No. Since lightning often strikes tall objects first the lightning rod on the first floor would not allow the current to be safely sent to the ground.


Devised and execute a strategy that would allow you to determine the distance to a lighting strike given a five second time difference between seeing the lighting and hearing the thunder?

Determine the difference in the speed of the light in air from the lightning strike (3 * 105 km/sec) and the speed of the sound in air from the thunder (3 * 10-1 km/sec) and calculate the distance to the lightning.In 5 seconds the light travels so far that it can for all intents and purposes be considered instantaneous. We are left with the speed of the sound of thunder. 5 seconds is 1,5 km.


What instrument is allow persons who study weather to be able to track a hurricane?

bass guitar


What are the ways of avoiding the dangers associated with lightning?

we shod be go to the house we shod not take shelter under shed like mettle


Does water allow the flow of electricity?

Yes, if the current is strong enough. This is why you have to get out of the pool or the ocean when a lightning storm comes ;)


What the name of the instrument used by submarine to allow the crew to see above the surface of water?

Periscope.


What do Persephone's pearls do?

In the Movie "Perseus Jackson: The Lightning Thief" these pearls allow people to travel between Earth and the Underworld.


What Religion does not allow the use of emails?

Brethren is a Protestant Christian body that don't allow the use of computers or similar.


How do you change dash lights in 2001 intrepid?

remove plastic around instrument panel . remove screws from instrument panel then pull panel towards you to unplug it this will allow to get to dach lights


What is threadlike projections that are similar to tails and allow an organism to move?

Flagella