answersLogoWhite

0

If the lightening hit you, then you'd experience both at the same time. However, in general, you'll see lightening first, since that travels at the speed of light, and thunder second, as that travels at the speed of sound.

One way to see this easily in practice is to go to a Baseball game or cricket game and sit far away from the action - you will be able to see the batter hit the ball before you hear the sound of the ball hitting his bat.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Can you see thunder or lightning?

You see lighting and hear thunder.


Is thunder the same as lightning?

Thunder and lightning occur roughly at the same time during a thunderstorm, but they are different things. Typically you see the lightning first and then you hear the thunder.


Do you see or hear lightning?

You see the lightening, and hear the thunder.


Why do you see lightning before you see thunder in terms of wave theory?

You see lightning first because light travels faster then sound.Also, you don't see thunder - you hear it.


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 do you often hear thunder when you see lightning?

You often hear thunder when you see lightning because lightning produces a sudden and rapid heating of the air around it, causing it to expand quickly. This rapid expansion creates a shock wave that we hear as thunder. The farther away you are from the lightning, the longer it takes for the sound to reach you.


Why during a thunder storm you see lightning first then you hear thunder?

Because light travels faster than sound


If you see lightning and didn't here thunder what dose that mean?

If you see lightning but don't hear thunder, it means the lightning is far away. The speed of light is much faster than the speed of sound, so you usually see lightning before you hear the associated thunder.


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.


How come you see lighting and do not hear it and how come you hear thunder and do not see it?

You see lightning before you hear it because light moves faster than sound. Thunder comes from the lightning. You can't hear it until the sound waves reach you.


Why does lightning first?

The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound, therefore you see lightning first during a thunderstorm, then you hear the thunder. *yikes!* :) ilovecatz1234


Why do sometimes hear thunder at about the same time you see flash of lightning but other times you hear thunder after the flash?

If you hear the thunder almost at the same time as the lightning flash - the storm is directly overhead. Usually - the sound of thunder arrives a few seconds after the lightning, because light travels much faster than sound.