In thunderstorm weather, we often see lightning first and then hear thunder. Do you know why?

In thunderstorm weather, we often see lightning first and then hear thunder. Do you know why? Introduction is as follows:

Seeing lightning before hearing thunder is because lightning travels fast in the atmosphere.

Lightning and thunder occur at the same time, but their propagation speeds in the atmosphere are very different, so people always see lightning first and then hear thunder. Light can travel about 300 thousand kilometers per second, while sound can only travel 340 meters.

According to this phenomenon, the distance between seeing lightning and hearing thunder can be calculated. If lightning is in the northwest and thunder is heard every 10 second, it means that the thunderstorm is about 3400 meters.

Extended data:

Taboos in thunderstorm days:

Lightning often hits areas with tall objects. Therefore, during a thunderstorm, we should pay attention to the topography, prohibit staying at the top of the mountain or in hilly areas, and do not get close to tall trees, telephone poles, chimneys, billboards and other sharp and isolated objects.

You should stop outdoor activities immediately and find a lightning protection place as soon as possible. You can take refuge in low-lying, dry or leeward houses or caves. However, low-rise buildings without lightning protection facilities, such as shacks and sentry boxes, cannot enter.

When it thunders, it is forbidden to stand in the open space. If you are in an open place and have no time to escape indoors, you should immediately kneel on the ground with your knees in your hands, your feet together, bend forward, your chest close to your knees, and your eyes look down at the ground, because your head is most vulnerable to lightning. Never support the ground with your hands, which will expand the contact range between your body and the ground and increase the risk of being struck by lightning.