Difference between thunder and lightning
The sky It suddenly lights up with a blinding flash followed by a deafening roar. These natural phenomena, known as Ray and thunders, are impressive manifestations of atmospheric energy. Although they are often mentioned together, there are fundamental differences between the two.
The Ray They are intense electrical discharges that occur during storms. These discharges originate when positive and negative electrical charges within a cloud or between a cloud and the land They become strong enough to overcome air resistance. Lightning is essentially a massive electrical current that seeks to balance these disparate charges.
Lightning characteristics
- Lightning can reach temperatures up to 30,000 degrees Celsius, hotter than the surface of the sun.
- La speed The speed of lightning is impressive, traveling at approximately 270,000 kilometers per hour.
- A single beam can contain up to a Millón of volts of electricity.
On the other hand, the thunders They are the direct result of lightning. When lightning passes through the air, it instantly heats the surrounding air molecules to extremely high temperatures. This sudden heating causes the air to expand rapidly, creating a shock wave that we perceive as the rumbling sound of wind. Thunder.
Interesting facts about thunder
- The sound of thunder can travel up to 25 kilometers from the place where the lightning originated.
- La speed of sound is approximately 343 meters per second, much slower than the speed of light.
- Because of this speed difference, we first see the flash of lightning and then we heard the thunder.
A simple way to calculate The distance of a thunderstorm is counting the seconds between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder. Divide this number by three to get the approximate distance in kilometers.
Seconds between lightning and thunder | Approximate storm distance |
---|---|
3 seconds | 1 kilometer |
6 seconds | 2 kilometers |
9 seconds | 3 kilometers |
Although lightning and thunder are impressive natural phenomena, they can also be dangerous. If you are outdoors during a thunderstorm, seek shelter in a closed building or vehicle immediately. Remember the motto: “If it booms, you hide” to stay safe during the electric storms.
Understanding the difference between lightning and thunder not only satisfies our natural curiosity, but also helps us appreciate the complexity and the beauty of weather phenomena. The next time you witness a thunderstorm, take a moment to marvel at the breathtaking display of energy unfolding in the sky.
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