Chapter 5: Problem 55

Explain the formation of thunder.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Question: Explain the formation of thunder and its relationship with lightning and thunderstorms.

Step by step solution

Understand what causes thunder

Thunder is caused by the rapid expansion of the air surrounding the path of a lightning bolt. The intense heat generated by lightning causes the surrounding air to rapidly expand and create a shock wave, which we hear as thunder.

Learn about the development of thunderstorms

Thunderstorms develop when warm, moist air rises and cools, forming clouds. As the moisture in the rising air cools, it condenses into water droplets and ice particles. These water droplets and ice particles can collide and generate electric charge, which builds up in the storm cloud. The separation of positive and negative charges within the cloud creates an electric field.

Understand the formation of lightning

Lightning occurs when the electric field within the storm cloud becomes strong enough to overcome the insulating properties of the surrounding air. The negatively charged particles in the lower part of the cloud and the positively charged particles in the upper part of the cloud create a powerful electric field, which leads to a discharge in the form of lightning. The lightning bolt is a flow of electric current between the regions of opposite charges within the cloud or between the cloud and the ground.

Describe the heating of air during lightning

As the lightning bolt travels through the air, it heats the surrounding air to temperatures as high as 30,000 Kelvin, which is around 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun. This rapid heating causes the air around the lightning bolt to expand rapidly.

Explain the formation of thunder

The rapid expansion of the heated air around the lightning bolt creates a shock wave that moves through the atmosphere. This shock wave compresses the air and produces a sound wave which we hear as thunder. The sound of thunder travels at the speed of sound in air, which is approximately 343 meters per second, much slower than the speed of light. Therefore, we see lightning before we hear the thunder. Now, you should have a better understanding of how thunder is formed, its relationship with lightning and the atmospheric conditions that lead to the formation of thunderstorms.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Explain the formation of thunder.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand what causes thunder

Learn about the development of thunderstorms

Understand the formation of lightning

Describe the heating of air during lightning

Explain the formation of thunder

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Waves Physics

Fundamentals of Physics

Physical Quantities And Units

Translational Dynamics

Mechanics and Materials

Energy Physics

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.