Final answer:
To avoid a severe thunderstorm, it is recommended to stay a distance of a few kilometers away. The distance to the storm can be estimated by counting the time between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder and using the formula Distance = Speed x Time.
Step-by-step explanation:
A severe thunderstorm should be avoided by a distance of at least a few kilometers if possible. Thunder is produced by lightning, and we can determine the distance of a storm by measuring the time it takes for the sound of thunder to reach our ears after seeing the lightning. Sound travels at approximately 343 meters per second. So, if you count the number of seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder, you can estimate the distance to the storm using the formula Distance = Speed x Time. For example, if it takes 5 seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder, the storm is approximately 1715 meters or 1.7 kilometers aways.