Chapter 15, Problem 71A

To determine

To estimate:The distance from lightning flash and to count the seconds between the flash and the thunder.

Answer to Problem 71A

The distance from the lightning is 1 km away when the number of seconds between a flash and a thunder is 3 seconds, and the distance from the lightning is 1 mile away when the number of seconds between a flash and a thunder is 5 seconds.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The speed of sound is $\text{342 m/s}$ or $\text{0}\text{.343 km/s}$ .

The sound moves approximately 1 km in 3 seconds, as the speed of sound is $\text{0}\text{.343 km/s}$ .

The number of seconds between a flash and a thunder when divided by 3, the distance from the lightning is obtained in kilometers.

The number of seconds between a flash and a thunder when 3 seconds, it means the distance from the lightning is 1 km away.

For sound to travel 1 mile the time required is 5 seconds approximately.

So, if the number of seconds between a flash and a thunder isdivided by 5, the distance from the lightning is obtained in miles.

The number of seconds between a flash and a thunder is when 5 seconds, it means the distance from the lightning is 1 mile away.

Conclusion:

The distance from the lightning is 1 km away when the number of seconds between a flash and a thunder is 3 seconds, and the distance from the lightning is 1 mile away when the number of seconds between a flash and a thunder is 5 seconds.