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What is the relationship between thunder and lightning?
A bolt of lightning heats the air along its path causing it to expand rapidly. Thunder is the sound caused by the rapidly expanding atmosphere. The light and sound actually happen at the same time, but the light of the lightning flash travels faster than the grumbling sound of the thunder.
Does thunder lead to lightning?
Lightning causes thunder! Energy from a lightning channel heats the air briefly to around 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, much hotter than the surface of the sun. Because light travels through the air roughly a million times faster than sound does, you can use thunder to estimate the distance to lightning.
Is the relationship between lightning and thunder unknown?
No, it is not possible to have thunder without lightning. Thunder is a direct result of lightning. However, it IS possible that you might see lightning and not hear the thunder because it was too far away. Sometimes this is called “heat lightning” because it occurs most often in the summer.
What is worse thunder or lightning?
2. Both occur at the same time during a thunderstorm, but since light travels faster than sound, lightning is seen first before one can hear the sound of thunder. 3. Lightning is fast and very hot while thunder can usher in heavy rain and strong winds, but lightning is more dangerous and destructive than thunder.
Which is safest in a thunderstorm?
If the weather forecast calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip or activity. Remember: When thunder roars, go indoors. Find a safe, enclosed shelter. Safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up.
Do scientists know causes lightning?
A hypothesis explored by many scientists is that lightning is initiated when collisions between ice particles in thunderclouds ionize the air. The ice particles can separate enough electric charge to cause a large electric field and trigger a lightning strike.
Do scientists understand lightning?
It’s well-known that lightning is an electric current—a quick, powerful burst of charge that flows within a cloud or between a cloud and the ground. But surprisingly, scientists still don’t fully understand how the initial spark forms that generates such powerful lightning.