How long does it take the sound of thunder to travel 1 mile?

How long does it take the sound of thunder to travel 1 mile?

• A. 5 seconds
• B. 3 seconds
• C. 7 seconds
• D. 9 seconds

Answer: (A)

Sound travels through air at about 343 meters per second (roughly 1,125 feet per second) at typical conditions. One mile is 5,280 feet. Time is distance divided by speed, so 5,280 ÷ 1,125 ≈ 4.69 seconds. That’s about five seconds, which is why thunder from a one-mile distance is heard about five seconds later. Temperature can tweak the speed a bit, but the practical takeaway is roughly five seconds per mile. The other time options imply speeds far from the actual speed of sound under normal conditions.

Sound travels through air at about 343 meters per second (roughly 1,125 feet per second) at typical conditions. One mile is 5,280 feet. Time is distance divided by speed, so 5,280 ÷ 1,125 ≈ 4.69 seconds. That’s about five seconds, which is why thunder from a one-mile distance is heard about five seconds later. Temperature can tweak the speed a bit, but the practical takeaway is roughly five seconds per mile. The other time options imply speeds far from the actual speed of sound under normal conditions.