Facts About Thunder

6/27/2018 (Permalink)

Thunder Facts 

  Thunder is the sound caused by lightning.

• The intense heat from lightning causes the surrounding air to rapidly expand and create a sonic wave that you hear as thunder.

• The average temperature of lightning is around 20000 °C (36000 °F).

• The sound of thunder can be anything from a loud crack to a low rumble.

• Light travels faster than sound so we see lightning before we hear thunder.

• The closer you are, the shorter the gap between the lightning and thunder.

• The speed of sound is around 767 miles per hour (1,230 kilometres per hour).

• The speed of light is around 669600000 miles per hour (1080000000 kilometres per hour).

• Thunder is difficult to hear at distances over 12 miles (20 kilometres).

• Thousands of years ago philosophers such as Aristotle believed that thunder was caused by the collision of clouds.

• Astraphobia is the fear of thunder and lightning.