Thunder

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Thunder (disambiguation). Not to be confused with lightning.

Rain
Duration: 19 seconds.0:19
Typical sound of rain with thunder

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Thunder is the sound caused by lightning.[1][2][3] Depending upon the distance from and
nature of the lightning, it can range from a long, low rumble to a sudden, loud crack. The
sudden increase in temperature and hence pressure caused by the lightning produces
rapid expansion of the air in the path of a lightning bolt.[4] In turn, this expansion of air
creates a sonic shock wave, often referred to as a "thunderclap" or "peal of thunder".
The scientific study of thunder is known as brontology and the irrational fear (phobia) of
thunder is called brontophobia.
Etymology[edit]
The d in Modern English thunder (from earlier Old English þunor) is epenthetic, and is
now found as well in Modern Dutch donder (cf. Middle Dutch donre; also Old
Norse þorr, Old Frisian þuner, Old High German donar, all ultimately descended
from Proto-Germanic *þunraz). In Latin the term was tonare "to thunder". The name of
the Nordic god Thor comes from the Old Norse word for thunder.[5]
The shared Proto-Indo-European root is *tón-r̥ or *tar-, also found in Gaulish Taranis.[6]
Cause[edit]
The cause of thunder has been the subject of centuries of speculation and
scientific inquiry.[7] Early thinking was that it was made by deities, but the ancient Greek
philosophers attributed it to natural causes, such as wind
striking clouds (Anaximander, Aristotle) and movement of air within clouds
(Democritus).[8] The Roman philosopher Lucretius held it was from the sound
of hail colliding within clouds.[8]