The boys were having a great time coloring in Willie’s living room when the thunder and lightening started. Orrie jumped. Willie ducked, and Hector said, “Wow, I really hate thunder!”
Just then Grandma Hattie came into the living room and drew the curtains. She sat down in her favorite chair and asked, “OK, what do we know about thunder and lightening?” Orrie answered,”I know that thunder scares me.”Willie and nodded in agreement.
Grandma Hattie smiled, saying,”Let’s talk about thunder and lightening. I will share some facts, and maybe thunder and lightening won’t be so scary any more.
- Lighting causes the sound of thunder
- The intense heat from lightning causes the surrounding air to rapidly expand and create a sonic wave that you hear as thunder.
- The sound of thunder can be anything from a loud crack to a low rumble.
- We see lightning before we hear thunder because light travels faster than sound.
- The closer you are, the shorter the gap between the lightning and thunder.
- Thunder is difficult to hear at distances over 12 miles.
- Thousands of years ago people believed that thunder was caused by the collision of clouds.
Willie looked surprised at all Grandma Hattie new about thunder and lightening. He asked,”How do you know so much about thunder and lightening?”
