Physical explanation for thunder

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SUMMARY

Thunder is produced by the rapid expansion of air surrounding a lightning bolt, which occurs when the immense heat generated by the lightning causes the air to ionize and create a vacuum. As the vacuum fills with air, it generates a rumbling noise known as thunder. This explanation corrects the earlier belief that thunder results solely from the collision of clouds. The phenomenon involves complex interactions of electrical charges and thermal dynamics.

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  • Familiarity with electrical charge interactions
  • Knowledge of thermal dynamics and gas expansion
  • Basic physics principles related to sound propagation
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Students of meteorology, educators explaining weather phenomena, and anyone interested in the scientific principles behind thunder and lightning.

ash_win
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folks,
when i was small,the explanation for thunder,given to me was that when two clouds clash lightning is produced and due to the collision thunder is heard

but now someone told me that thunder is caused when two clouds clash charges are neutralised and large amount of energy is liberated which appears in the form of lightning and during lightning the air get ionised and a large vacuum is created and after sometime air fills in the empty space with a rumbling noice which appears as the thunder

is this the correct explanation of thunder...if not please explain

thank you
 
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I think sparks between clouds are enomous and very hot, probably millions of degrees. So the air in the region get hot too and expands suddenly creating thunders.
 
It's best to look up a specialized site for this sort of thing.

http://www.wxdude.com/page5.html

The wikipedia page is disappointing.
 
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