Question
When lightning strikes, a bright flash of light is generated. That light travels at a constant 186,000 miles/second through air. The heat of the lightning generates thunder which is also transmitted through the air. What observations do we make during the thunderstorm? Explain.
Responses
A Because the two events happen almost simultaneously we see and hear them at approximately the same time.Because the two events happen almost simultaneously we see and hear them at approximately the same time.
B We hear thunder first and then lightning because the lightning generated the sound of thunder and those sound waves are traveling out in front of the light waves.We hear thunder first and then lightning because the lightning generated the sound of thunder and those sound waves are traveling out in front of the light waves.
C We see lightning immediately because of the speed of light through air. We hear thunder several seconds later because sound waves travel slowest through a gas like air.We see lightning immediately because of the speed of light through air. We hear thunder several seconds later because sound waves travel slowest through a gas like air.
D We see lightning first because lightning is not a compression wave and travels at a constant speed no matter what the medium. Sound waves travel slower than light waves no matter what the medium.
Responses
A Because the two events happen almost simultaneously we see and hear them at approximately the same time.Because the two events happen almost simultaneously we see and hear them at approximately the same time.
B We hear thunder first and then lightning because the lightning generated the sound of thunder and those sound waves are traveling out in front of the light waves.We hear thunder first and then lightning because the lightning generated the sound of thunder and those sound waves are traveling out in front of the light waves.
C We see lightning immediately because of the speed of light through air. We hear thunder several seconds later because sound waves travel slowest through a gas like air.We see lightning immediately because of the speed of light through air. We hear thunder several seconds later because sound waves travel slowest through a gas like air.
D We see lightning first because lightning is not a compression wave and travels at a constant speed no matter what the medium. Sound waves travel slower than light waves no matter what the medium.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The correct response is **C**: "We see lightning immediately because of the speed of light through air. We hear thunder several seconds later because sound waves travel slowest through a gas like air."
### Explanation:
- **Speed of Light vs. Speed of Sound**: Light travels at approximately 186,000 miles per second in air, which allows us to see lightning almost instantaneously. In contrast, sound travels much slower—roughly 1,125 feet per second in air (or about 0.2 miles per second).
- **Observation During Thunderstorms**: When lightning strikes, we see the flash first due to the high speed of light. Afterward, we hear the thunder, which is generated by the rapid expansion and contraction of air caused by the heat of the lightning bolt. This delay in hearing thunder can be used to estimate how far away the lightning occurred; for example, counting the seconds between the flash and the sound can provide a rough distance estimate (about every 5 seconds corresponds to roughly a mile).
Thus, the experience during a thunderstorm is dominated by the immediate visual cue of the lightning followed by the delayed auditory cue of the thunder.
### Explanation:
- **Speed of Light vs. Speed of Sound**: Light travels at approximately 186,000 miles per second in air, which allows us to see lightning almost instantaneously. In contrast, sound travels much slower—roughly 1,125 feet per second in air (or about 0.2 miles per second).
- **Observation During Thunderstorms**: When lightning strikes, we see the flash first due to the high speed of light. Afterward, we hear the thunder, which is generated by the rapid expansion and contraction of air caused by the heat of the lightning bolt. This delay in hearing thunder can be used to estimate how far away the lightning occurred; for example, counting the seconds between the flash and the sound can provide a rough distance estimate (about every 5 seconds corresponds to roughly a mile).
Thus, the experience during a thunderstorm is dominated by the immediate visual cue of the lightning followed by the delayed auditory cue of the thunder.
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