Thunder vs. Lightning
Main DifferenceThe 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.
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.
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.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 roadThunderverb
utter words loudly and forcefully;
`Get out of here,' he roaredThunderverb
be the case that thunder is being heard;
Whenever it thunders, my dog crawls under the bedThunderverb
to make or produce a loud noise;
The river thundered belowThe engine roared as the driver pushed the car to full throttleComparison 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.
ConclusionAbove 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.
