| − | '''Thunder''' is the [[sound]] produced by [[lightning]]. The sound is, more specifically, the result of [[supersonic]] [[shock waves]] produced by the [[superheating]] of the air directly surrounding the lightning bolt. | + | '''Thunder''' is the [[sound]] produced by [[lightning]]. When a lightning bolt occurs it super heats the surrounding air. This causes the air to expand, resulting in an audible shock wave. Though the process is nearly instantaneous, lightning is always seen before thunder due to light traveling faster than sound. |