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Lightning is an atmospheric discharge caused by a very large voltage difference between two objects, usually the clouds and the Earth. Lightning is actually electricity flying through the air. The voltage it takes for electricity to do so is in the millions of volts compared to your household voltage of 110/220v.
When lightning moves through the air it 'ionizes' the air molecules, giving them a strong negative charge. Also, it creates a LOT of heat. These two effects force the air molecules to move very far apart in the vicinity of the lightning.
Once the lightning has finished moving the air cools down quickly. Once they are cool and loose their ionic charge the molecules slam back together. The sound you know as thunder is the trillions of air molecules crashing together.
Another visual:
For the instant just after a lightning strike there is a vacuum formed in a rough tube shape where the bolt travelled. So for a spit second there is nothing where the lightning bolt was. The pressure, from the rest of the atmosphere, around this tube collapses it. The collapse creates a loud noise known as thunder.
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Can thunder kill?
Thunder cannot kill, but lightning can.
Thunder is to Lightning as Grape is to Sun Raisin Seed Wine?
(Moved from discussion comments) SEED! Lightning happens first. then thunder. So... Thunder is to Lightning as Grape is to Seed. (2nd, 1st):(2nd, 1st)
Why lightning is seen before thunder is heard?
Sound (thunder) travels much much slower than light (lightning flash).
What type of waves are involved in lightning and thunder?
The sudden flashes of light and trembling sound waves are involved in lightning and thunder. These waves are caused because of the Sudden electrical discharges resulting from atmospheric conditions.
What is a loud noise created when lightning rapidly hits the atmosphere?
The loud noise is called 'thunder' or 'a thunder clap'. The sudden increase in pressure and temperature from lightning produces rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within a bolt of lightning. In turn, this expansion of air creates a sonic shock wave which produces the sound of thunder.
What is the scientific explanation of thunder and ligthning earthquake?
There is no relationship between thunder and lightning and earthquakes.
How is thunder produced and how far away does the lightning strikes if the thunder is heard 15 seconds after the lightning is seen?
Thunder - is the result of a lightning flash. The flash causes the surrounding air to move away from the source at 300 metres/second. An approximate calculation for the relationship between the lightning flash to hearing the thunder, is 5 seconds per mile.
Why is there a delay between the lightning an thunder?
There is a delay between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder because the speed of light (lightning) is much faster than the speed of sound (thunder). Thus, you SEE lightning first, and then you HEAR thunder later.
What is a thunder lightning outcome?
A thunder lightning outcome refers to the simultaneous occurrence of thunder and lightning during a thunderstorm. The thunder is the sound produced by the rapid expansion of heated air surrounding a lightning bolt, while the lightning is the visible discharge of electricity between clouds or between a cloud and the ground. A thunder lightning outcome is a common occurrence during thunderstorms.
Why do you see thunder after you see the flash of lightning?
You don't see thunder. You hear thunder. You hear thunder after seeing the lightning because light travels faster than sound. The further the storm away is, the bigger the time between when you see the lightning and hear the thunder.
Why can't you see thunder?
Thunder is our name for the sound made by lightning. The reason there is (usually) a delay between when you see the bolt of lightning and hear the thunder is that light travels more quickly than does sound. This is the reason that you can count seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder to figure out how close the lightning is to you. When the lightning is closer to you, the sound doesn't take as much time to travel to your ears and thus the gap between the lightning and thunder is shorter. So you can't see thunder because it's merely a sound - but you can see the source of that sound.
Is thunder the eco of lightning?
thunder is the sound of lightning if that is what you are asking
What is lightning without thunder?
Lightning without thunder is called heat lightning. It occurs when the lightning is too far away for humans to hear the thunder.
What is the Difference between the thunderstorms and lightning?
Lightning is light energy, or electromagnetic energy. And thunder is sound energy.
What is the difference between a thunderstorm and lightning?
Lightning is light energy, or electromagnetic energy. And thunder is sound energy.
Does it need to be raining for thunder and lightning to occur?
No, it doesn't need to rain for thunder and lightning to occur because the thunder and lightning need cold and warm air so they collide. The clouds are like big batteries and the lightning is the short circuit. also the lightning can be between the clouds and it doesn't strike down to the ground. also if the clouds have temperature conditions and it doesn't have to rain it just creates thunder and lightning.
What are the latin words for thunder and lightning?
The Latin words for thunder and lightning are: Thunder = Tonitrus Lightning = Fulgoris, Fulgor Storm = Procella
