What causes thunder and lightening? Science Short

About this episode

This episode unpacks the science behind thunder and lightning, exploring their causes and safety tips during storms.

What’s really going on when the sky flashes and booms during a storm? ⚡🌩️ In this Science Short, inspired by a question from Squiz Kid Clancy in Lindfield, we unpack the science behind thunder and lightning. Along the way, we’ll explore lightning as a giant spark, thunder as a shockwave (a bit like a mini sonic boom), what plasma is (yep — a fourth state of matter!), and why counting seconds after a flash can tell you how far away a storm is. Plus — what to do to stay safe, and why hair standing on end is a sign to move fast.

Topics covered

• thunder
• lightning
• science
• storms
• safety

Keywords

• thunder
• lightning
• storm safety
• plasma
• shockwave

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Squiz Kids, Squiz Media

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