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Lightning is caused by a build-up of static electricity between raindrops. Eventually, enough builds-up, and it is discharged towards earth. Thunder is the noise caused by such a huge force, it is heard after the lightning is seen because light travels faster than sound.

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Is it really true that the lightning strikes first before the thunder or the lightning and thunder strikes together but only the lightning seems to be first because of it's speed of light?

Lightning does indeed strike first, as thunder is the sound created by lightning. According to Wikipedia, lightning heats the air surrounding it by large quantities, which in turn causes the air to expand and create a "Sonic wave" which is similar to a sonic boom.


Why do we see lightning before we hear thunder?

We see lightning before we hear thunder because light travels faster than sound. Lightning, which is a flash of light, travels at the speed of light (about 299,792 kilometers per second), while thunder, the sound produced by the rapid expansion of heated air, travels at the speed of sound (approximately 343 meters per second in air). This difference in speeds causes us to see the bright flash of lightning first, followed by the sound of thunder after a delay. The greater the distance from the lightning strike, the longer the delay between seeing the flash and hearing the thunder.


During a thunderstorm you see the lightning followed by the sound of the thunder What causes the delay between the light and the sound?

The delay between the lightning and the sound of thunder is due to the difference in speed between light and sound. Light travels much faster than sound, so we see the lightning first before hearing the thunder. By counting the seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder, you can estimate how far away the lightning struck.


Why doesn't thunder and lighting happen at the same time?

Actually, thunder and lightning DO happen at the same time, but unless you are within the immediate proximity of the lightning strike, the observer usually sees the flash before hearing the thunder because light travels much faster (~11,000,000 mph) than sound (~750 mph).


When do you start hearing thunder?

You start hearing thunder when the rapid expansion of air near a lightning bolt creates a shockwave that travels through the atmosphere, causing the sound of thunder. Lightning and thunder typically occur almost simultaneously, but because light travels faster than sound, we see the lightning first and then hear the thunder a few seconds later.

Related Questions

Is thunder heard before you see lightning?

No, lightning is seen before thunder is heard. The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound, so light from the lightning reaches us first, followed by the sound of thunder a few seconds later.


Is it really true that the lightning strikes first before the thunder or the lightning and thunder strikes together but only the lightning seems to be first because of it's speed of light?

Lightning does indeed strike first, as thunder is the sound created by lightning. According to Wikipedia, lightning heats the air surrounding it by large quantities, which in turn causes the air to expand and create a "Sonic wave" which is similar to a sonic boom.


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.


Does thunder always mean lightning?

No, thunder doesn't always mean lightning. Thunder is the sound produced by the rapid expansion of air around a lightning bolt as it heats up creating a shock wave. So while thunder is commonly associated with lightning, it is possible to have thunder without seeing the accompanying lightning, especially if the lightning is far away or obstructed from view.


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.


Does thunder happened first?

No, thunder reaches the observer after they see lightning.


Why does lightning come first?

Lightning comes first cause there is a discrepancy between areas of air between regions of warm and cold and this causes frictionals forces to build up,which sometimes create an electrical spark which is lightning.


Why does thunder comes after lightning?

Lightning does not come after thunder. Thunder is the sound produced from lightning. The amount of time in between when you see the lightning and when you hear the thunder makes you think that the thunder comes first but it is in fact the other way around.


Is it true that thunder and lightning simultaneous?

Yes, technically thunder and lightning originate at the same time. However, light travels much faster than sound so even though they start simultaneously you will hear the thunder after you see the lightning unless you are very close to the bolt.


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.


Why does lightning appear first before thunder when they both happen at once?

Light travels much faster than sound.


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.