K12
Lightning and thunder happen at the same moment — but why do we always see lightning before we hear thunder, even though both start at the same instant?
A
Light and sound travel at the same speed, but sound takes a longer path through the air
B
Lightning generates light before it generates sound — the shock wave comes a split second later
C
Light travels about a million times faster than sound, so it reaches your eyes almost instantly while sound takes seconds per mile
D
The human eye processes visual signals faster than the ear processes sound signals
E
Thunder only forms after the lightning channel has fully closed, creating a delay
