You can see lightning before you can hear the thunder. Which is the best explanation for this?

Question

a You see the light first because cold air bends the sound waves, but not the light waves, by refraction.

b The transmission of light in air is faster than the transmission of sound in air.

c Diffraction causes the sound to spread out more than the light waves, so you see the light sooner.

Alsooo I have 1 more question

2. A remote control for a television works by sending out electromagnetic waves. Which is the best description for the behavior of the waves?

a The speed of the waves changes as it moves through the air, so the waves refract and diffract.

b The remote control sends out longitudinal waves, which then echo off the television detector.

c Transverse waves from the remote transmit through air, which are then absorbed by the television detector.

Answer 1

1) "best explanation" is bad terminology, as it implies there are other reasons, whereas there is only 1, b

2) c seems closest.

note: remote controls use IR radiation, which is EM waves.

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Answer 2

1: C) The warm/cold air difference causes diffraction which bends the sound waves so that they have to travel a greater distance.  Light travels in a straight line to you so it gets there first.

2: B) Remote controls use longitudinally polarized electromagnetic waves, which are reflected by the laterally polarized television detector.  The reflection causes a vibration in the detector, which is picked up and translated into a command by the TV.

--EDIT--

Bob, Infrared and RF (radio frequency) are both electromagnetic waves!  Also, nowhere did he say "RF"!  Quit trying to confuse the kid!

Answer 3

1. B

2. C

Answer 4

1. b  The latest physics theorizes that the universe is embedded in a Higgs Ocean which provides different levels of viscosity for different kinds of particles.  Photons, from the light released by lightning, have zero viscosity in Higgs Ocean, and thus travel at the maximum possible speed.  Sound requires the movement of air, which has substantial viscosity in Higgs Ocean, and therefore moves slower than maximum possible speed - about five seconds a mile at the density and temperature of most air near the surface of the earth, or about a million times slower than maximum possible speed.

2. c is closest - and, by the way, electromagnetic waves have no Higgs Ocean viscosity, so move at the so-called speed of light.

Answer 5

How old is your textbook? I can't recall the last time I saw an RF remote control.

Infrared control is used almost exclusively today.

Answer 6

When we see the lightning and after the sound this means how far the lightning is the seconds  you count from the lightning till you hear the sound the farther away it is.

Take care

Answer 7

1  b

2  c