answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

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

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Do you hear thunder or see lightning first?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

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.


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 often hear thunder when you see lightning?

Thunder is always heard after lightning flashes. The sounds from thunder can be heard from miles away, but you can see lightning and NOT hear thunder. Never the other way around.


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 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.


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

Because light travels faster than sound


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 they don't see the lightning and hear the thunder at the same time?

because light travels faster than sound an amazing 300000 km/s. this is why we can see lightning vefore we hear thunder


Can Lightning and thunder occur simultaneously?

No. Thunder is the result of lightning when it hits the ground. After lightning hits the ground the air expands (because of the increase in temp.) and quickly condenses. That air condensing is what we hear when there is thunder. Because light travels faster than sound we see lightning then hear thunder.