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In simplest terms, lightning is a giant electrical spark ... an extremely hot spark that can reach up to 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit (~30,000 degrees Celsius), which is substantially hotter than the air that is around the lightning. So, when the lightning bolt "hits" the air around it, an explosion of temperature causes an audible shockwave that we call thunder.

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9y ago

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What is stronger lightning or thunder?

Thunder i guess but lightning make a sound of thunder so it would probably be both!


Is thunder the sound lightning bolts make i really need help?

Thunder is the sound created by lightning. The sound is generated by rapidly expanding gas near the electric arc of a lightning bolt.


Why is thunder associated by lightning?

Lightning heats up the air and the heated expanding air causes the thunder sound. You can estimate how far away the lightening was by counting seconds after the flash, 6 seconds to a mile away.thunder is the sound of lightning after the lightning strike occurs


Can thunder make you blind?

No, thunder cannot make you blind. Thunder is the sound that occurs after lightning, which is a sudden discharge of electricity in the atmosphere. While lightning can potentially cause blindness if someone is struck directly, thunder itself does not have the ability to affect your vision.


What is sound made by thunder called?

Strictly speaking thunder doesn't make a sound. Thunder IS the sound made by lightning. Thunder is always proceeded by lightning and the sound is literally the sound of the bolt of lightning ripping through the air at an incredible speed ionising the air, rapidly raising temperature, breaking the sound barrier and physically hitting the earth. The sound can be described as a rumble, a screech, a boom or a crack depending upon your proximity to the lightning and its type.


Why does thunder make a sound?

It travels because of:The boom efect and what it does and how sound travels.


What name of which clouds crashing together make thunder?

Cumulonimbus clouds crashing together can create thunder. These are large, dense clouds that can produce thunderstorms and severe weather conditions like lightning and heavy rainfall. Thunder is the sound produced by the rapid expansion of air due to the intense heating and cooling caused by lightning strikes within the cloud.


Did Zeus make thunder in storms?

In Greek mythology, Zeus, the god of thunder and lightning, was believed to wield the power to create thunder during storms. It was believed that the sound of thunder was created when Zeus threw his lightning bolts from the sky.


What are the similarities of thunder and lightning?

No, the two are quite different. The main difference is lightning is light, thunder is sound. Lightning is an electric charge that can come from a cloud for various reasons. Thunder is the sound made by lightning. Since sound travels slower than light, lightning comes first, thunder second.


Can thunder make you deaf?

No, thunder cannot make you deaf. Thunder is a sound caused by lightning, and while it can be very loud, it is not loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage.


Why lightning has no sound?

Lightning does have sound. Depending upon the distance of the lighting bolt, it may be audible instantaneously or it may take several seconds for the sound waves to reach your ears. The further away the lighting, the longer it will take for the thunder to follow.


Does lightning make any noise?

No. The visual portion of the energy wave that we see as lightning it's self does not make noise, however this energy wave also displaces air. The air that is displaced by the negative and positive ion charge (that bolt we see) is often heard as a loud "crack" and the air that moves fast enough creates a sonic boom which we hear as thunder.