Theoretical Gunshot with Thunder

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    Theoretical thunder
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using thunder to mask the sound of a gunshot in a sniper scenario, as depicted in a video game. Participants explore the timing of sound and light, the distances involved, and the conditions under which this tactic could be effective.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the practicality of firing a gunshot during a thunderstorm, suggesting that unless the lightning strikes directly above the target at the moment of firing, the sound of the gunshot may still be heard.
  • Another participant explains that thunder is heard after lightning due to the difference in the speed of sound and light, proposing a method to estimate the distance of lightning based on the time delay.
  • A participant argues that if the time difference is negligible, the distance of the lightning might not significantly affect the effectiveness of the tactic, suggesting that a quick trigger pull could suffice.
  • One reply emphasizes the importance of timing the shot with the "crack" of thunder rather than the longer rumble, indicating a preference for precise timing.
  • Another participant introduces the idea of calculating the timing based on the known distance to the target and the lightning strike, noting that if the lightning is closer to the target than the shooter, the tactic would not work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of using thunder to mask a gunshot, with no consensus reached on the practicality of the tactic or the necessary conditions for it to work.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss assumptions about the distances involved, the timing of sound and light, and the need for precise calculations, but these aspects remain unresolved.

Melosh3
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Hey, I found this site while studying for my physics midterm, but then I can across an interesting question in a video game.

In Battlefield:Bad Company 2, there is a mission where you have to snipe somebody but do it so nobody hears a gunshot, you accomplish this by firing when you see lightning, and the sound of the thunder masks the sound of the gunshot

Reference video here: (Some explicit language just btw)

However, when i thought about it, I don't think that would work, I mean, you would hear it at the same time, but unless the lightning struck as the bullet fired right on top of the person, wouldn't the other people hear it?
 
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You hear thunder slightly after you see lightning because sound travels slower than light. A rough way to estimate how far away in miles a lightning strike is from you is to count the seconds and divide by 5.

Considering that the furthest confirmed sniper shot was about 1.5 miles away, I would say the difference in time between you and the "watchers" is negligible compared to the distance of the lightning from them.

The tricky part would be figuring out how far the lightning is from them based just on looking so you can time it with the thunder.
 
If the difference in time is negligible then wouldn't the distance from the lightning not matter? Thunder is pretty long, so if the difference isn't too much as long as you pulled the trigger fairly quickly it would work right?
 
If you pulled it right as soon as you heard the thunder (not when you see the lightning) the chances would be pretty good that they would be pretty close together.

But you would want the shot to coincide with the "crack" sound rather than the rumble of thunder.
 
You know you range to the target. If the lightning is further away from the target then you are, you delay the trigger pull by your estimate for the difference x 5 seconds/mile. If the strike is closer to the target than you are then you can't mask the sound of the shot.
 

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