A. The flash travels nearly a million times faster than the thunder; if, therefore, the thunder has far to come, it will not reach the earth till a considerable time after the flash.
[1] The speed of lightning is so great, that it would go 480 times round the earth in one minute: whereas, thunder would go scarcely 13 miles in the same space of time.
Q. Can we not tell the distance of a thunder-cloud, by observing the interval which elapses between the flash and the peal?
A. Yes; the flash is instantaneous, but the thunder will take a whole second of time to travel 380 yards: hence, if the flash is 5 seconds before the thunder, the cloud is 1900 yards off.
(i. e. 380 × 5 = 1900 yards.)
Q. What places are most dangerous to be in, during a storm?
A. It is very dangerous to be near a tree, or lofty building; it is dangerous also, to be near a river, or any running water.
Q. Why is it dangerous to be near a tree, or lofty building, during a thunder-storm?
A. Because a tall pointed object, (like a tree or spire,) will frequently discharge a lightning-cloud; and then the electric fluid will pass down it, in its way to the earth.
Q. How can a tree or spire discharge a lightning-cloud?