Question

You see lightning before you hear the thunder because

• A. Lightning is much brighter than thunder.
• B. Thunder is heavier than lightning.
• C. Light can travel through air but sound cannot.
• D. Sound travels slower than light.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Sound travels slower than light.

Answer is D.

Lightning and thunder are produced simultaneously, but the thunder is heard a few seconds after the lightning is seen. This is because the speed of light in air is more than the speed of sound in air.The speed of light is given as $3\times {10}^{8}m/s$. The speed of sound is 340 m/s.
Hence, the flash of lightning is seen before the thunder is heard as the speed of sound is less than speed of light.