Question

The time between a flash of lightning and the sound of its thunder can be used to estimate the distance you are from a lightning strike. The distance, in miles, from the strike is approximately the number of seconds between seeing the flash and hearing the thunder divided by 5. Write an equation to show this relationship using t for time in seconds and d for distance in miles.

Answer 1

If you count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder, and then divide by 5, you'll get the distance in miles to the lightning: 5 seconds = 1 mile, 15 seconds = 3 miles, 0 seconds = very close. Keep in mind that you should be in a safe place while counting.