Question

In a thunderstorm at 20.0°C, Karen sees a bolt of lightning and hears the thunderclap 3.00 s later. How far from Karen did the lightning strike? Show your work.

Answer 1

The speed of sound at any given temperature is given by:

$v_s=331.3\sqrt[]{1+\frac{T}{273.15}}$

We know that in this case the temperature is 20°, then the speed of sound is:

$v_s=331.3\sqrt[]{1+\frac{20}{273.15}}=343.21$

Now, the distance is given by:

$d=vt$

Plugging the speed we found for the sound and the time it takes Karen to hear the thunderclap we have:

$\begin{gathered} d=(343.21)(3) \\ d=1029.64 \end{gathered}$

Therefore, the lighting stroke 1029.64 m away