How is sound and electrical energy created during thunderstorms?

[shashankac655]

How is sound and electrical energy generated in a thunder storm?

i know that in thunder storms large amounts of energy is released when the water vapour in the clouds condenses into water,but that is supposed to be in the form of heat energy (the same heat energy that was absorbed by the water to form vapour),but what actually happens is that
we see a huge electric discharge and a lot of sound,how does charge accumulation occur in a storm cloud and why??... and how is sound energy generated?

 

[JaredJames]

A good place to start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning

We're not exactly sure of the cause of lightning though.

The thunder is a lot simpler, it is a shockwave created when the lightning, which is many thousands of degrees in temperature rapidly heats the air causing it to expand.

 

[granpa]

when you rub a cat you generate static electricity.

lightening is also generated in landslides and volcanic eruptions

 

[Drakkith]

when you rub a cat you generate static electricity.

lightening is also generated in landslides and volcanic eruptions

For some reason I pictured two cats being rubbed together...lol.