Thunder vs. Lightning

Main Difference

The main difference between thunder and lightning is that thunder is the sound produced by lightning, whereas lightning is an electrical discharge produced by the clash of electrically charged clouds.

Thunder vs. Lightning — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Thunder and Lightning

Thunder vs. Lightning

The sound produced by lightning is known as thunder, whereas the electrical discharge produced by the clash of electrically charged clouds is known as lightning.

Thunder vs. Lightning

The word “thunder” is derived from the old English word “thunor” and the Proto-Germanic “thunraz” on the other hand, the word “lightning” is derived from the Old English word “lihting” or “lightnen.”

Thunder vs. Lightning

Thunder is sound energy. Conversely, lightning is electrical energy.

Thunder vs. Lightning

Thunder is formed due to the fast expansion of gases during the electrical charge of lightning on the flip side; lightning is produced when ice and water particles collide with moist and warm air.

Thunder vs. Lightning

Lightning is the cause, while thunder is its effect.

Thunder vs. Lightning

As sound energy has low speed so, thunder can be heard after lightning, on the other side, as light energy has more speed so that lightning can be seen first before thunder.

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Thunder vs. Lightning

Thunder usher in strong winds and heavy rains, and it is less destructive and dangerous than lightning; on the other hand, lightning is very hot and fast, so it is very destructive and dangerous.

Thunder vs. Lightning

Thunder is less damaging; It can rarely cause damage to hearing if lightning struck nearby on the other side, lightning is more destructive and may cause a house on fire.

Thundernoun

The loud rumbling or cracking sound caused by expansion of rapidly heated air around a lightning bolt.

Thunder is preceded by lightning.

Lightningnoun

A flash of light produced by short-duration, high-voltage discharge of electricity within a cloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the earth.

Although we did not see the lightning, we did hear the thunder.

Thundernoun

A sound resembling thunder; especially, one produced by a jet airplane in flight.

Lightningnoun

A discharge of this kind.

The lightning was hot enough to melt the sand.That tree was hit by lightning.
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Thundernoun

A deep, rumbling noise.

Off in the distance, he heard the thunder of hoofbeats, signalling a stampede.

Lightningnoun

(figuratively) Anything that moves very fast.

Thundernoun

An alarming or startling threat or denunciation.

Lightningnoun

The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment; brightening, as of the mental powers.

Thundernoun

(obsolete) The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt.

Lightningadjective

Extremely fast or sudden.

Thundernoun

(figuratively) The spotlight.

Shortly after I announced my pregnancy, he stole my thunder'' with his news of landing his dream job.

Lightningadjective

Moving at the speed of lightning.

Thunderverb

To produce thunder; to sound, rattle, or roar, as a discharge of atmospheric electricity; often used impersonally.

It thundered continuously.

Lightningverb

To produce lightning.

Thunderverb

(intransitive) To make a noise like thunder.

The train thundered along the tracks.

Lightningnoun

abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

Thunderverb

(intransitive) To talk with a loud, threatening voice.

Lightningnoun

the flash of light that accompanies an electric discharge in the atmosphere (or something resembling such a flash); can scintillate for a second or more

Thunderverb

(transitive) To say (something) with a loud, threatening voice.

"Get back to work at once!", he thundered.

Thunderverb

To produce something with incredible power

Thundernoun

a deep prolonged loud noise

Thundernoun

a booming or crashing noise caused by air expanding along the path of a bolt of lightning

Thundernoun

street names for heroin

Thunderverb

move fast, noisily, and heavily;

The bus thundered down the road

Thunderverb

utter words loudly and forcefully;

`Get out of here,' he roared

Thunderverb

be the case that thunder is being heard;

Whenever it thunders, my dog crawls under the bed

Thunderverb

to make or produce a loud noise;

The river thundered belowThe engine roared as the driver pushed the car to full throttle

Comparison Chart

Thunder Lightning
The sound produced by lightning is known as thunder. The electrical discharge formed by the clash of electrically charged clouds is known as lightning.
Etymology
The word “thunder” is derived from the old English word “thunor” and the Proto-Germanic “thunraz.” The word “lightning” is derived from the Old English word “lihting” or “lightnen.”
Type of Energy
Thunder is sound energy. Lightning is electrical energy.
Production
Thunder is formed due to the fast expansion of gases during the electrical charge of lightning. Lightning is produced when ice and water particles collide with moist and warm air.
Quality
Thunder is the effect. Lightning is a cause.
Time of Occurrence
As sound energy has low speed so, it can be heard after lightning. As light energy has more speed, so it can be seen first before thunder.
Characteristics
Thunder usher in strong winds and heavy rains, and it is less destructive and dangerous than lightning. Lightning is very hot and fast and is very destructive and dangerous.
Damage
Thunder is less damaging. It can rarely cause damage to hearing if lightning struck nearby. It is more destructive and may cause a house on fire.

Thunder vs. Lightning

Earth experiences different types of weather. Some of them cause only mild trouble, while others cause a lot of destruction and loss. It can be hot, clear, dry, and calm at one time but may be cold, wet, cloudy, and stormy on the other time. A rapid upward movement of the warm and moist air causes a thunderstorm. As the warm air moves upward, it loses heat and cools down to compress in the form of clouds. The water droplets and ice particles in the clouds, collide with each other due to air and build up static energy, which causes thunder and lighting. Thunder is sound energy produced by electric discharge during lightning. Both thunder and lightning take place at the same time, but as light has more speed, so, it appears first and than we hear the sound of thunder. Lightning is fast and very hot and is more destructive and dangerous than thunder. Thunder is scary, but it has little potential to cause damage, on the other side, lightning is lethal and can cause house on fire.

What is Thunder?

The word “thunder” is derived from the old English word “thunor” and the Proto-Germanic “thunraz.” It is the rumbling sound that can be heard during thunderstorms. It is produced by the fast expansion of the gases in the electrical charge of lightning during thunderstorm. Its sound can range from a low rumble to a crack, a peal or a clap. Both thunder and lightning take place at the same time but, as the light has more speed than the sound so, lightning is seen before the sound can be heard. Thunder usher in strong winds and heavy rains, and it is less destructive and dangerous than lightning. Thunder is scary, but it has little potential to cause damage. In rare cases, it can damage the hearing if the clap of thunder is at its loudest and sharpest.

What is Lightning?

The word “lightning” is derived from the Old English word “lihting” or “lightnen.” It is an awesome force of nature. Lightning is usually produced by the electrically charged parts of the clouds. If two electrically charged clouds come into direct contact with each other, lightning is produced. If this lightning produced hits the ground than it is called as “strike.” On the other side, if the lightning is among the clouds, it is called “flash.” In rare cases, volcanic eruptions have also recorded causing lightning storms. But mostly, it is due to electrically charged regions of clouds. Its surface is hotter than the sun, reaching a temperature of 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It can travel with a speed of about 140,000 miles per hour. Lightning may strike tall objects because it always takes the fastest way towards the ground. It is very destructive and dangerous and may cause a house on fire. The potential of lightning to cause damage is unpredictable because it is difficult to determine whether it will make contact with the ground or not. It is relatively short-lived, so it can only damage the objects that are in direct contact with it.

Conclusion

Above discussion clarifies that thunder is sound energy that is produced by lightning and has less destructive effect whereas, lightning is the electrical energy produced by the contact of differentially charged clouds and is very destructive and dangerous.