Thunder vs. Lightning: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Thunder is the sound caused by lightning; Lightning is a flash of light in the sky during a storm.
Key Differences
Thunder is an auditory phenomenon resulting from the rapid expansion of air along the path of a lightning bolt. Lightning, on the other hand, is a visual display of electric discharge in the atmosphere, producing a bright flash.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
While thunder is produced by the shock wave from the heated air, it can only be heard, not seen. Lightning is essentially an electric current that can be seen as a bright streak in the sky.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
The distance of thunder can be estimated by counting the time delay from seeing lightning. Lightning illuminates the sky and is often followed by the rumbling sound of thunder.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Thunder can vary in sound from a sharp crack to a distant rumble. Lightning strikes can be cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-ground, or within a single cloud, and are the cause of thunder.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Thunder is not possible without lightning since it is a direct consequence of the latter. Lightning, producing temperatures hotter than the sun, rapidly expands the air, creating thunder.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Cause
Expansion of air due to heating by lightning
Electrical discharge in the atmosphere
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Speed of Occurrence
Travels slower than light, heard after lightning flash
Travels at the speed of light, seen before thunder
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Distance Estimation
Estimated by time gap between lightning and thunder
Visible immediately during a storm
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Effect
Sound ranging from cracks to rumbles
Produces bright flashes in the sky
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Thunder and Lightning Definitions
Thunder
A loud rumbling or crashing noise heard after a lightning flash.
The thunder echoed through the valley after a vivid flash of lightning.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Lightning
A bright flash of electricity in the sky, often during a storm.
We watched the lightning dance across the horizon from our porch.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Thunder
A symbol of power or anger in literary and cultural references.
The CEO's voice was like thunder, demanding immediate action.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Lightning
The occurrence of a natural electric discharge of very short duration.
Lightning struck the tree, splitting it in two.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Thunder
A loud, explosive sound similar to the noise of a heavy object falling.
The sudden thunder from the collapsing building was terrifying.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Lightning
A high-voltage natural phenomenon, often accompanied by thunder.
The campers retreated to their tents at the first sign of lightning.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Thunder
The crashing or booming sound produced by rapidly expanding air along the path of the electrical discharge of lightning.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Lightning
A sudden electrostatic discharge during a thunderstorm.
The lightning illuminated the entire sky, revealing the dark clouds.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Lightning
A symbol of speed and sudden illumination in various contexts.
Her decision was as quick as lightning, leaving no room for doubt.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Lightning
An abrupt, discontinuous natural electric discharge in the atmosphere.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
To move while making a loud noise
The express train thundered past us.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
The loud rumbling, cracking, or crashing sound caused by expansion of rapidly heated air around a lightning bolt.
Thunder is preceded by lightning.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Lightning
A flash of light produced by short-duration, high-voltage discharge of electricity within a cloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the earth.
Although we did not see the lightning, we did hear the thunder.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
A deep, rumbling noise resembling thunder.
Off in the distance, he heard the thunder of hoofbeats, signalling a stampede.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Lightning
A discharge of this kind.
The lightning was hot enough to melt the sand.
That tree was hit by lightning.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
(figuratively) The spotlight.
Shortly after I announced my pregnancy, he stole my thunder with his news of landing his dream job.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Lightning
Extremely fast or sudden; moving (as if) at the speed of lightning.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
(impersonal) To produce thunder; to sound, rattle, or roar, as a discharge of atmospheric electricity.
It thundered continuously.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
(intransitive) To make a noise like thunder.
The train thundered along the tracks.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Lightning
A discharge of atmospheric electricity, accompanied by a vivid flash of light, commonly from one cloud to another, sometimes from a cloud to the earth. The sound produced by the electricity in passing rapidly through the atmosphere constitutes thunder.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Lightning
The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment; brightening, as of the mental powers.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
To say (something) with a loud, threatening voice.
"Get back to work at once!", he thundered.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Lightning
Abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
The sound which follows a flash of lightning; the report of a discharge of atmospheric electricity.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Lightning
The flash of light that accompanies an electric discharge in the atmosphere (or something resembling such a flash); can scintillate for a second or more
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt.
The revenging gods'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
An alarming or statrling threat or denunciation.
The thunders of the Vatican could no longer strike into the heart of princes.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
To produce thunder; to sound, rattle, or roar, as a discharge of atmospheric electricity; - often used impersonally; as, it thundered continuously.
Canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
Fig.: To make a loud noise; esp. a heavy sound, of some continuance.
His dreadful voice no moreWould thunder in my ears.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
To emit with noise and terror; to utter vehemently; to publish, as a threat or denunciation.
Oracles severeWere daily thundered in our general's ear.
An archdeacon, as being a prelate, may thunder out an ecclesiastical censure.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
A booming or crashing noise caused by air expanding along the path of a bolt of lightning
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
Be the case that thunder is being heard;
Whenever it thunders, my dog crawls under the bed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
To make or produce a loud noise;
The river thundered below
The engine roared as the driver pushed the car to full throttle
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Thunder
The sound made by the rapid expansion of air along the path of a lightning strike.
As the storm approached, the thunder became more frequent and intense.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Thunder
A resonant, deep, and sometimes startling sound associated with storms.
The children covered their ears as the thunder roared overhead.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What causes thunder?
Thunder is caused by the rapid expansion and contraction of air heated by a lightning bolt.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
What are the types of lightning?
There are several types, including cloud-to-ground, cloud-to-cloud, and intra-cloud lightning.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can thunder occur without lightning?
No, thunder is always a result of lightning.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
How far away is lightning when you hear thunder?
You can estimate the distance by counting the seconds between the lightning flash and the thunder. Every five seconds equals approximately one mile.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
What does thunder sound like?
Thunder can sound like a loud crack, a deep rumble, or a rolling noise, depending on the distance and atmospheric conditions.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can lightning strike the same place twice?
Yes, lightning can strike the same place more than once, especially tall, isolated objects.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
What is sheet lightning?
Sheet lightning is a type of intra-cloud lightning that appears as a diffused glow in the clouds.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
What is heat lightning?
Heat lightning is the term used for the visible flashes of distant lightning with no accompanying thunder sound.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Is lightning dangerous?
Yes, lightning is extremely dangerous and can cause fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Is lightning hotter than the sun?
Yes, lightning can reach temperatures five times hotter than the sun's surface.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Is it safe to use electronic devices during a thunderstorm?
It's advised to avoid using wired electronic devices during a thunderstorm due to the risk of electrical surges from lightning strikes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can you see lightning and not hear thunder?
Yes, if lightning is far enough away, you might see it but not hear the thunder.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can animals sense thunder and lightning?
Many animals seem to have an ability to sense an approaching storm, often becoming restless or agitated.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
What is ball lightning?
Ball lightning is a rare form of lightning that appears as a moving, glowing sphere and lasts several seconds.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
How common are lightning strikes?
Lightning strikes are common during thunderstorms and can occur anywhere in the world.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
What should you do if you're caught outside during lightning?
Seek shelter immediately, avoid open fields, tall trees, and water. If no shelter is available, crouch down with minimal contact to the ground.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Why do we see lightning before we hear thunder?
Light travels faster than sound, so the flash of lightning is seen before the sound of thunder reaches us.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
How long can a lightning bolt be?
Lightning bolts can be several miles long.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Why does thunder seem to last longer than lightning?
Thunder reverberates, or echoes, making the sound last longer than the lightning flash.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Is it safe to be in a car during lightning?
Generally, cars can offer some protection due to their metal bodies acting as a Faraday cage.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
