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JAMB Physics 1988 Question 27

Question 27

Sound

The speed of sound in air at sea-level is 340 m s−1 while that of light is 300 000 km s−1. How far (to the nearest metre) from the centre of a thunderstorm is an observer who hears a thunder 2 s after a lightening flash?

  1. A.170 m
  2. B.340 m
  3. C.600 m
  4. D.680 m
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D (680 m)

Explanation

Light arrives almost instantly, so the 2 s delay is the sound's travel time: 340 × 2 = 680 m.