The phrase "thunder and lightning" is a common expression used to describe a storm. The word "thunder" is spelled with the letter "t," "h," "u," "n," "d," "e," and "r" in that order. It is pronounced /ˈθʌndər/. The word "lightning" is spelled with the letters "l," "i," "g," "h," "t," "n," "i," and "n" in that order. It is pronounced /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/. Both words have a unique sound and spelling, making them easily recognizable and unforgettable to native English speakers.
Thunder and lightning refer to the phenomena that occur during a thunderstorm, which is a weather event characterized by the presence of electrical discharge and resulting sounds. Thunder is the loud, rumbling sound that follows a lightning flash. It is caused by the rapid expansion and heating of the air surrounding a lightning bolt. The intense heat from the bolt causes the air to expand explosively and creates a shock wave, which generates the thunderous noise. The sound produced by thunder can vary from a low rumble to a loud crack, depending on the distance and intensity of the lightning strike.
Lightning, on the other hand, is a sudden, visible electrical discharge between clouds or between cloud and the ground. It can manifest as a bright flash, often in irregular shapes or streaks in the sky. Lightning occurs due to the buildup of electrical charges within a thunderstorm cloud, where differences in electrical potential cause a powerful discharge to occur, often traveling through the air as a bolt. These bolts can be several kilometers long and can reach temperatures hotter than the surface of the Sun, heating the air around it and creating the phenomenon known as thunder.
Both thunder and lightning are fundamental components of a thunderstorm and are closely associated with each other. The lightning discharge generates the acoustic shock wave that we perceive as thunder. The occurrence of thunder and lightning is often a captivating and awe-inspiring event, but it is important to exercise caution and seek shelter during a thunderstorm to avoid potential hazards associated with these powerful natural phenomena.