What Causes the ‘Sound’ of Thunder and How Far Can We Hear It?

Thunder is the sound of lightning. When lightning strikes, it heats up the air so fast that it makes a big pop, like when you blow out a candle and the flame goes whoosh. The sound travels through the air, and depending on how far away you are, it can be loud or soft. If you're close, it might feel like a giant drum hit the sky!

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Examples

  1. A loud clap of thunder makes the windows shake like they’re being hit by a giant hand.
  2. You hear thunder even when you're playing outside with your friends, it feels like someone is shouting from the sky!
  3. After a lightning strike, the thunder sounds like a big drum roll, and it can be heard all over town.

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