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Thunder is caused by the rapid expansion of the air surrounding the path of a lightning bolt. From the clouds to a nearby tree or roof, a lightning bolt takes only a few thousandths of a second to split through the air. The loud thunder that follows the lightning bolt is commonly said to come from the bolt itself.
What is the reason behind thunder and lightning?
Lightning is a discharge of electricity. A single stroke of lightning can heat the air around it to 30,000°C (54,000°F)! This extreme heating causes the air to expand explosively fast. The expansion creates a shock wave that turns into a booming sound wave, known as thunder.
What does it mean when thunder is really loud?
If the thunder sounds more like a rumble, the lightning was at least several miles away. The loud boom that you sometimes hear is created by the main lightning channel as it reaches the ground. Remember, if you can hear thunder, chances are that you’re within striking distance of the storm.
Do cell phones attract lightning?
“Cell phones, small metal items, jewelry, etc., do not attract lightning. Lightning tends to strike taller objects,” said John Jensenius, a NOAA National Weather Service lightning expert. “People are struck because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Is it OK to watch TV during a thunderstorm?
It isn’t dangerous to watch TV during a thunderstorm, but the electronics in a TV set are vulnerable. If you have to make a telephone call, use a mobile phone detached from its cable rather than a landline device. Over-voltages resulting from a lightning strike may follow electrical conductors into the handset.
Why does thunder rumble so long?
High pitch booms come from nearby lightning but distant thunder sounds deeper with lower rumbles. Because of air density dampens out higher frequencies, your ears only hear the lower frequencies propagating through the air. Longer rumbles come from lengthy bolts in the sky over several miles long.
Why does thunder shake the house?
Why does the house shake when there is a thunder storm? Your house will shake depending the closeness of the lightning. Thunder is a sonic boom that comes from the rapid heating of the air around a lightning strike. Sonic booms cause massive shaking to nearby objects (your house).
What was the loudest thunder ever recorded?
The explosion was loud enough that this level of noise was recorded many miles away from the site of the blast. A sound of 174 decibels was recorded by barometers 100 miles from Krakatoa. That meant anyone within an 100 mile radius of Krakatoa had a chance of being literally deafened by this sound.
Can I cook during a thunderstorm?
Nope, Don’t Do the Dishes If your house or plumbing isn’t properly grounded, the electricity from a lightning strike can move through pipes and water, which can shock you.
Do umbrellas attract lightning?
The answer: No. Lightning occurs when the difference in charge between the cloud and the ground becomes so great that a conductive channel of air develops. Often this conductive channel is many miles long. So a short metal pole (umbrella) will have little to do with the outcome.
Can lightning strike a car?
A typical cloud-to-ground, actually cloud-to-vehicle, lightning strike will either strike the antenna of the vehicle or along the roofline. The lightning will then pass through the vehicle’s outer metal shell, then through the tires to the ground.
Is it safe to poop during a thunderstorm?
DO NOT POOP During A Thunderstorm. The plumbing company said this is just as rare as getting struck by lightning yourself. Do not shower, bathe, wash dishes, or wash your hands.
Can lightning destroy a house?
Lightning can cause serious structural damage to a building and may destroy property within the home. Some of the broad categories of losses may include: Damage to a home’s electrical wiring. Destruction of electrical devices within a home.
What happens if lightning hits a house?
A lightning strike can start a fire. It can ignite any flammable material it hits, or it can start a fire if it travels through exposed wires. As soon as it’s safe to, you should look for smoke, a burning smell, char marks and actual fire in your roof, your attic or anywhere else in the building.
How long can one thunder last?
Approx. time ± 0.3 – 2 seconds.
How long does thunder usually last?
The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes.
Can a thunder last 30 seconds?
The 30-30 Rule is an easy way to determine the threat of lightning in your area: 30 Seconds: Count the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. If this time is less than 30 seconds, lightning is a threat. Seek shelter immediately.
Should I unplug stuff during a storm?
Anything that’s plugged into an outlet in your home is at risk of suffering damage from an electrical surge during thunderstorms. If an electrical storm has been forecast, unplug your computer, laptop, and other devices, and consider unplugging appliances.
Can thunder crack windows?
The sudden heating of a metal window frame might cause enough expansion to crack the window. The accompanying thunder is caused by the shock wave from the channel of superheated plasma that the lightning bolt creates between the ground and the cloud. This could also shatter a window if it was close enough.
How do you stop lightning from hitting your house?
4 Ways To Protect Your Home From Lightning Use a home lightning protection system Unplug electronics and appliance. Install transient voltage surge suppressors Check your homeowners and renters insurance coverage.
