KidZone Science
Introduction to Thunder and Lightning

What is Thunder and Lightning?

Lightning:

Lightning is a bright flash of light that we see during a storm. It happens when the electricity in the clouds gets very strong and jumps from one cloud to another or from a cloud to the ground. This jump creates a huge spark, just like when you get a small shock from touching something metal after dragging your feet on the carpet, but much, much bigger!

Thunder:

Thunder is the loud sound that follows lightning. When lightning happens, it heats up the air around it really fast. This hot air then expands and creates a sound wave that we hear as thunder. It's like when you pop a balloon, the air inside rushes out and makes a loud noise.

How Does Lightning Form?

• Clouds Bumping Together: Inside big storm clouds, tiny bits of ice bump into each other. These collisions create electric charges.
• Electricity Builds Up: The top of the cloud gets positively charged, and the bottom gets negatively charged.
• A Big Spark: When the electricity becomes too strong, it jumps through the air, creating a big spark of lightning.

How Does Thunder Form?

• Heating the Air: When lightning flashes, it makes the air around it very hot, hotter than the surface of the sun!
• Expanding Air: This hot air expands very quickly, pushing outwards.
• Booming Sound: The movement of the air creates a shockwave that travels through the sky, and we hear it as thunder.

Fun Facts:

• Lightning Speed: Lightning is incredibly fast, traveling at the speed of light!
• Counting Seconds: You can tell how far away a storm is by counting the seconds between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder. Every five seconds equals about one mile.
• Stay Safe: If you're outside and see lightning, it's time to go inside right away. Stay away from tall objects like trees and metal poles.

Activities:

• Lightning Bolt craft

Discussion Questions:

• What do you think is more exciting, seeing lightning or hearing thunder? Why?
• Can you think of any other sounds that are made when something heats up quickly, like thunder?