Suppose that you hear a clap of thunder 16.2 s (seconds) after seeing the associated lightning stroke. The speed of sound waves in air is 343 m/s and the speed of light in air is 3.00*10^8 m/s. How far are you from the lightning stroke?

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Physics

Guest

31 October, 10:27

Suppose that you hear a clap of thunder 16.2 s (seconds) after seeing the associated lightning stroke. The speed of sound waves in air is 343 m/s and the speed of light in air is 3.00*10^8 m/s. How far are you from the lightning stroke?

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Harper Lyons · Answer 1

Since the speed of sound is very high, we consider the time period of thunder and lightening negligible.

Now, d = vt

thus, d = 343 x 16.2

thus, d = 5556.6 metres

Thus, we are 5556.6 metres away from lightening (approximately)