Where does thunder and lightening come from?

Question

what is thunder caused by?

what is lightening caused by?

im looking for a detailed answer, but one that can be understood by a 13 year old.

thank you

Answer 1

OK, thunder is an effect of lightning - that is, lightning causes thunder. A gigantic spark blasts through the air and superheats it, causing a sudden and violent expansion. We hear the shockwave from this effect as thunder. (No, Dorothy, it's not angels bowling in heaven). Here's a good article that offers clear explanations.

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/e...

Answer 2

Lightening occurs when the voltage potential between two points becomes so great that it uses air between the two points as a conductor and a short term massive amount of current flows between the two points thus neutralizing the voltage potential. During this process a vacuum is created in the burned current path between the two points.  Replacement air then rushes into the vacuum creating sound waves in the air that we call thunder.

Answer 3

First you get the lightning, then the thunder which is the result of lightning.  The lightning is simply a spark caused by static discharge of electricity, like when you would pull out clothes from a dryer without using a dryer sheet.  Storms build up electricity and when the opposite charges get strong enough, they reach out toward each other and eventually connect, which immediately causes a lightning bolt.  The bolt is very hot, and it heats the air immediately around the bolt a lot.  Since heated air expands, this heating causes the air to expand suddenly, creating a sound wave we hear as thunder.