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Lightning and Thunder facts.

6/29/2020 (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.

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