Textbook Problem

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Counting the seconds between a flash of lightning and the clap of thunder is often used to estimate how far away the lightning struck. If sound travels at a speed of 330 m/s, what is the time delay between lightning and thunder for lightning that strikes at a distance of 1.5 miles?

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The time delay between lightning and thunder is to be calculated.

Concept Introduction:

Sound is a travelling wave, which is created by a vibrating object.

Speed of object is the distance travelled by it in per unit of time.

The relation between speed, time, and distance is as follows:

$\text{Time}=\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Speed}}$

Here, distance is in meters, speed is in $\text{meter/second}$, and time is in seconds.

Explanation of Solution

Given information: The distance between the viewer and lightning is $1.5\text{Miles}$ and the speed of sound is $\text{330 m/s}$.

The relationship between miles and kilometers is as follows:

$\begin{array}{c}1\text{Mile}=1.60934\text{Km}\\ 1.5\text{Mile}=\frac{1.5\cancel{\text{Mile}}\times \text{1}\text{.60934}\text{Km}}{1\cancel{\text{Mile}}}\\ =2.414\text{Km}\end{array}$

Also, the relationship between kilometers and meters is as follows:

$\begin{array}{c}1\text{km}=1\times {10}^3\text{m}\\ 2.414\text{km}=\frac{2}{}\end{array}$