How Can You Figure Out How Far Away Lightning Struck?

Check out this episode of BrainStuff to learn how to gauge the distance of a lightning strike with a simple equation.

Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on the HowStuffWorks team to explore - and explain - the everyday science in the world around us on BrainStuff.

Watch More of Ben on Stuff They Don't Want You To Know:

[nickgrossman]

good work on the metric, most US vids usually neglect the rest of the world :)

[jomarietiu]

Who`s watching because its currently lightning in their place?

[laurachase]

Whos wachting because there's lightning at your place

[rockparmesan]

There's a thunder storm right now..

[what]

It's about 3 seconds. Oh well, tell my kids I love them.

[Uendelighed]

As an European, I enjoy that you used the metric system as well so all us non-Americans can understand it. And you made it funny, +1, keep up the very great job!

[ckahrl]

Lifeguards have used this technique for years. Although you were trying to keep it simple, you might observe that sound does not travel at the same speed at all altitudes and temperatures. As a general rule, the higher up you go, the slower sound travels. That is why lighting that is close sounds like a sharp crack of a whip, while lightning farther away sounds like a rumble--some of the sound gets to you faster. Then you have the issue of sound reflecting off of layers of air and so forth---anyway. . . .

[ashleypatricia]

Strickland should be short with thick black glasses and dark unruly hair! Anyone else having the imaginary version/real life version collision!! I love all of you! Thanks for keeping our minds entertained and learning, even on you tube!

[bargoroth]

Would love to see a video related to creativity :D

[CoolDudeClem]

I know exactly how far away one lightning strike was because I got hit by it! I'm not lying, I have been struck by lightning and I can still remember what it was like, it's one thing you will never forget. There was a blinding white flash, and at the same time thunder louder than I'd ever heard it before, and while that was going on, my entire body felt like I'd plugged myself into an electrical socket. To this day I have no idea how I survived. I still live storms tho.

[malcomkarombo]

Im watching this during Corona and it really helps thanks

[LindaengelustrupBlogspot]

Thank you for making me laugh during the thunderstorm!! :D

[thedisplayname]

Thanks for the honest feedback, Limezik. If you watch the video, you'll see that Jonathan and I include explanations using both the imperial and metric system. The metric system measurements begin around 1:48.

[ChaoChaoChaowondergenius]

Thanks for doing the metric conversion for confused ppl like me 😂

[BrainStuffShow]

Have you ever wondered how you can figure out how far away lightning struck? Have no fear, today's episode of Brain Stuff has you covered.  Watch as Jonathan Strickland and Ben of Stuff They Don't Want You To Know dive in:

How Can You Figure Out How Far Away Lightning Struck?

[TheDrunkenKhajiit]

I use both old english system and metric. I'm 20 in Canada, always switching between the two standards.

[dw]

I'm American, and I prefer the metric system.

[SANHEDRIN]

err for metric you count from the lightning to when you hear the thunder, multiply it by 7 and then divide by 5. This will give the correct distance

[ownih]

How do you work out how powerful a lightning strike is like the rumble after ?

[arrbhadri]

Good thing you did with the metric system....i was about to calculate on my own painfully....Thank god :D