What causes the sound of thunder?
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Summary
5 papers analyzed
Some studies suggest thunder is caused by a shockwave from the sudden thermal expansion of plasma in the lightning channel, while other studies mention an air explosion driven by chemical bond energy from nitrogen and oxygen molecules.
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Introduction
Thunder is a natural phenomenon that has intrigued scientists for centuries. It is commonly associated with lightning, but the exact mechanisms behind the sound of thunder have been the subject of various theories and studies. This synthesis aims to present the key insights from multiple research papers to explain what causes the sound of thunder.
Key Insights
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Chemical Explosion of Air: Thunder is caused by an air explosion driven by the liberation of chemical bond energy from nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂) molecules during lightning strikes.
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Thermal Expansion Theory: The traditional theory suggests that thunder results from a shockwave in the air due to the sudden thermal expansion of the plasma in the lightning channel, with temperatures reaching up to 36,000 K .
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Electrodynamic Forces: Some studies propose that electrodynamic forces, such as the Lorentz pinch force, longitudinal Ampere force, and alpha-torque force, might drive the thunder shockwave. However, quantitative agreement on this theory has not been achieved.
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Acoustic Signatures and Atmospheric Absorption: Thunder signatures analyzed in various frequency bands show that atmospheric absorption significantly affects the sound from the source to the receiver. This absorption is frequency-dependent and must be considered when reconstructing the source spectrum.
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Lightning and Electrical Discharge: Thunder is created by the rapid heating and expansion of air around a lightning channel, which is a discharge of electricity. This process forms a shockwave that we hear as thunder.
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Oceanic Thunder Noise: Measurements of ocean noise caused by lightning strokes indicate that short impulses of sound pressure from elementary segments of lightning can be detected. These impulses vary mainly in the rate of repetition and contain very low-frequency components.
Conclusion
The sound of thunder is primarily caused by the rapid heating and expansion of air due to lightning, which creates a shockwave. While traditional theories emphasize thermal expansion, recent studies also highlight the role of chemical explosions of air and potential electrodynamic forces. Additionally, atmospheric absorption and the specific conditions of the environment, such as over the ocean, can influence the characteristics of thunder.
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