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Story
December 3, 1937
The Midland Journal
Rising Sun, Cecil County, Maryland
What is this article about?
Scientific explanation in a historical newspaper of why lightning is seen before thunder is heard, attributing it to the vast difference in speeds between light and sound.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Lightning and Thunder
Lightning and thunder are simultaneous, but lightning, particularly the kind designated "heat" lightning, may occur so far away from the observer that the thunder is not audible; on the other hand, the lightning and the thunder occur simultaneously. If the lightning is at any distance from the observer, however, and if thunder is heard at all, it always occurs after the flash is seen. The interval of time between the two being greater in proportion to the distance at which the flash took place. This is because the speed of light is so great (186,330 miles per second) that the flash is seen practically at the same instant it occurs, whereas the speed of sound is not very great (around 1,100 feet per second).
Lightning and thunder are simultaneous, but lightning, particularly the kind designated "heat" lightning, may occur so far away from the observer that the thunder is not audible; on the other hand, the lightning and the thunder occur simultaneously. If the lightning is at any distance from the observer, however, and if thunder is heard at all, it always occurs after the flash is seen. The interval of time between the two being greater in proportion to the distance at which the flash took place. This is because the speed of light is so great (186,330 miles per second) that the flash is seen practically at the same instant it occurs, whereas the speed of sound is not very great (around 1,100 feet per second).
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Nature
What keywords are associated?
Lightning
Thunder
Speed Of Light
Speed Of Sound
Heat Lightning
Story Details
Story Details
Lightning and thunder occur simultaneously, but thunder is heard after the flash if at a distance, due to the speed of light (186,330 miles per second) being much greater than the speed of sound (around 1,100 feet per second).