Question

In a thunderstorm at 20.0°C, Karen sees a bolt of lightning and hears the thunderclap 3.00 s later. How far from Karen did the lightning strike? Show your work.

Answer 1

The speed of sound at any given temperature is given by:

`v_s=331.3\sqrt[]{1+(T)/(273.15)}`

We know that in this case the temperature is 20°, then the speed of sound is:

`v_s=331.3\sqrt[]{1+(20)/(273.15)}=343.21`

Now, the distance is given by:

`d=vt`

Plugging the speed we found for the sound and the time it takes Karen to hear the thunderclap we have:

`\begin{gathered} d=(343.21)(3) \\ d=1029.64 \end{gathered}`

Therefore, the lighting stroke 1029.64 m away