What is the time lapse between seeing the lightning strick and hearing the thunder 17 km away
To determine the time lapse between seeing the lightning strike and hearing the thunder 17 km away, we need to understand the speed of sound and light.
The speed of sound in dry air at room temperature is roughly 343 meters per second or approximately 1 kilometer in about 2.9 seconds. However, the speed of sound can vary depending on factors such as temperature, humidity, and altitude.
The speed of light, on the other hand, is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second.
To calculate the time lapse, we first need to determine the time it takes for the light to reach your location from the lightning strike, and then subtract the time it takes for the sound to travel the same distance.
1. Time for light to travel 17 km:
Distance = Speed × Time
17 km = 299,792 km/s × Time (solve for Time)
Time = 17 km / 299,792 km/s ≈ 0.000057 seconds
2. Time for sound to travel 17 km:
Speed of sound = 343 m/s ≈ 0.343 km/s
Distance = Speed × Time
17 km = 0.343 km/s × Time (solve for Time)
Time = 17 km / 0.343 km/s ≈ 49.56 seconds
Therefore, the time lapse between seeing the lightning strike and hearing the thunder from a distance of 17 km is approximately 49.56 seconds.