Why Thunder Roars
When lightning strikes, it creates a big flash of light. But the sound we hear as thunder comes from the air heating up quickly, which makes it expand and push against the air around it. This creates a loud boom that travels to our ears.
How They’re Different
Lightning is just light, it doesn’t need air to move, so it can travel super fast without making a sound. Thunder needs the air to move, which takes a little time, so we hear it after we see lightning.
Examples
- A bolt of lightning makes a flash, and moments later you hear thunder like a big drum beat.
- If you are near a storm, the sound of thunder can feel like it’s coming from all around you.
- Sometimes the thunder rumbles on for a while after lightning has already passed.
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See also
- What Causes the ‘Sound’ in a Thunderstorm?
- What Causes the Sound of Thunder?
- What Causes the ‘Sound’ of a Thunderstorm?
- What Causes the ‘Sound’ of Thunder and Why Is It Loud?
- What Causes ‘Thunder’ and How Far Away Is a Storm?
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