why does thunder sound long and with a long rumble when the lightning is far away and why is it a short hard bang if it is really close?

Question

Is it because some soundwaves travel slower than others?

In: Physics

Answer 1

If you’re right next to me in the pool and I splash the water, it will smack against you sharply. If you’re at the other end of the pool, it will just be some waves that slowly ripple by you.

Sound waves behave a lot like water waves. If they have room to spread out, they will. There’s also the effect of echoes bouncing off of the surroundings, like waves off the side of a pool.