You see a bright flash. Then — BOOM! — the sky rumbles.
Lightning and thunder are two parts of the same event. Let's find out where they come from — and why the boom always arrives after the flash.
Tap “Next” to begin ⚡
Inside a tall storm cloud, tiny bits of ice and water bump and rub against each other as they swirl around. This rubbing makes electric charges, just like rubbing a balloon on your hair!
The light bits float to the top and become positive (+). The heavy bits sink to the bottom and become negative (−).
Your turn: Tap the cloud to make the ice bump and build up charge!
The bottom of the cloud is so packed with negative (−) charge that it wants to jump to a positive (+) spot — like the ground or another cloud.
When it finally jumps, the charge rips through the air in a huge flash. That flash is lightning!
Make it strike: Tap the cloud and watch the charge leap to the ground.
Lightning is super hot — about 5 times hotter than the surface of the Sun! 🔥
It heats the air around it so fast that the air explodes outwards with a giant BOOM. That rumbling sound is thunder.
Quick check: What actually makes the thunder sound?
Lightning and thunder happen at the same moment. But light travels much faster than sound — so the flash reaches your eyes almost instantly, while the boom is still racing toward your ears.
Counting game: Lightning just flashed! Tap “Tick!” once each second until the thunder arrives. Every 3 ticks ≈ 1 km away.
Lightning is amazing — but it is also dangerous. Here's the golden rule scientists use:
Sort it out: Tap each idea — is it SAFE or NOT safe during a thunderstorm?
Now you know exactly what causes thunder and lightning.
Next time a storm rumbles, you can explain it to your whole family. Great work, scientist! 🎉