Book 7, Question 35 · Video
Why Does Thunder Shake Windows?
Thunder is a sound, and sound is a wave that pushes on the air. A loud, close thunderclap pushes hard enough to make windows rattle. Windows shaking is just energy traveling throug
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does thunder shake windows?
The Big Idea
Thunder is a sound, and sound is a wave that pushes on the air. A loud, close thunderclap pushes hard enough to make windows rattle. Windows shaking is just energy traveling through the air.
Lightning Makes a Shock Wave
Step one: lightning makes a shock wave. Lightning heats the air so fast that it expands with a boom. This sends out a wave of squeezed and stretched air in every direction.
The Wave Reaches Your House
Step two: the wave reaches your house. When the pressure wave hits a window, it pushes on the glass many times a second. A big, close boom has enough energy to make glass shake and rattle.
Close Booms, Far Growls
Step three: close booms, far growls. Close thunder arrives as a sharp crack or boom, because the sound has not had time to spread out. Faraway thunder sounds like a low growl, as the sound bounces off hills and buildings and spreads out.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at thunder's sound! The source is the lightning that heats the air. The sound wave carries the energy through the air. And the window feels that energy as a gentle shake.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Windows shaking is energy traveling through the air. Very deep sounds are the ones that shake things best. You can sometimes feel thunder in your chest, because the deep rumble is a pressure wave. Enjoy the rumble from inside, and stay away from glass if the storm is severe.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! During a storm, stay inside and listen carefully. Notice if the thunder cracks or growls. Check how far away the lightning was by counting. If the storm is severe, stay away from windows.
Outro
Thunder can shake a window from miles away, just with sound. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!