Why thunder makes noise

Graphs Tables. Graphs Climate Finder Travel Planner. Why Thunder Rumbles. Weather Facts A is for Air. Accessory clouds. Air masses and their sources. Air-mass Thunderstorm. Alpine Glow. Atmosphere - Diagram. Aurorae - Northern Lights. Average rainfall over England and Wales. Azores High. Banner Cloud - the peak's flag.

Beaufort Scale. British Weather Terms. Brocken Spectre. Bubble High. Burning Time. Cap cloud. Cc floccus. Cc lacunosus. Cc stratiformis. Cc undulatus. Central England Temperature. Centres of action. Ci fibratus. Ci radiatus. Ci spissatus. Ci uncinus. Ci vertebratus. Cloud classification. Cloud seeding. Cloud species. Cloud streets. Cloud types genera. Cloud variety. Clouds - sentry of the sky. Cold low. Comma Cloud. Coriolis effect. Crepuscular rays.

Cut-off low. The air around the lightning flash expands so fast that it makes a shock wave in the air. That shock wave is the thunder that you hear. Why is thunder so loud? The louder the sound that you hear, the closer you are to the lightning. Light travels through air much faster than sound. If you see the lightning and hear the thunder immediately, then the lightning is very close to you. So, remember this important lesson: when thunder roars, go indoors.

Hello, curious kids! Ask an adult to send your question to africa-curiouskids theconversation. Please tell us your name, age, and which city you live in. Estelle Trengove , Associate professor in electrical engineering, with a research interest in lightning safety, University of the Witwatersrand. The Science Behind the Sound of Thunder The meteorological science behind the sound of thunder is complex, but the basics are easy to understand.

What causes the rumbles after a lightning strike? Here's the phenomenon of thunder, explained. Continue Reading. Share your thoughts. Related Content. Buddha House. Add to cart. The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver. Re-Connect in Person with Farmers and Foodies. This is for Mustard Lovers! Solar on Schools. This text can be changed. Join Today!

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