Thunder

Thunder is the sound produced by the rapid expansion and contraction of air surrounding a lightning bolt. When lightning strikes, it heats the air to temperatures around 30,000 degrees Fahrenheit in a fraction of a second, causing the air to expand explosively. This sudden expansion creates shock waves, which we hear as thunder. The rumbling sound occurs as the waves travel through the atmosphere at varying speeds, causing the sound to reach our ears at different times, resulting in the characteristic rolling effect. Thunder typically follows lightning, which is why we see the flash before hearing the sound.