What causes thunder?

Answer by  Ginny (2251)

The actual cause is still a bit of a riddle to the scientific community. But the consensus of scientific opinion lately is that it is the shock wave produced by lightening when super-heated air expands very rapidly into cooler air.

Answer by  Betty0320 (734)

Thunder is a sonic boom, like when jet planes go by. The heat in lightning causes an increase in pressure and temperature, which then causes an expansion of air around the bolt of lightning. The reason you hear it after the lighting is that light travels faster than sound.

Answer by  TwoToneDodge (2204)

Thunder is caused by super heated air around a thunder bolt. The reason their is always thunder with lightning and vise verse is because the thunder needs the heat from the electricity to clap and make that booming sound.