Question

The flash of lightning travels at the speed of light, which is about 186,000 miles per second. The sound of lightning (thunder) travels at the speed of sound, which is about 750 miles per hour. a. If you see a flash of lightning, then hear the thunder 4 seconds later, how far away is the lightning? b. Now let’s generalize that result. Suppose it takes n seconds to hear the thunder after a flash of lightning. How far away is the lightning, in terms of n?

Answer 1

A. Distance of the lightning after 4 seconds = 744,000 miles

B. Distance of the lightning after n seconds = 186,000 * n

Explanation:

1. Let's review the information given to us to answer the question correctly:

Speed of lightning = 186,000 miles per second

Speed of sound = 750 miles per hour

2. A. If you see a flash of lightning, then hear the thunder 4 seconds later, how far away is the lightning?

Distance of the lightning after 4 seconds = 186,000 * 4

Distance of the lightning after 4 seconds = 744,000 miles

B. Now let’s generalize that result. Suppose it takes n seconds to hear the thunder after a flash of lightning. How far away is the lightning, in terms of n?

Distance of the lightning after n seconds = 186,000 * n