How long does it take the sound of thunder to travel 1 mile?

Prepare for the Boatswain’s Mate Chief (BMC) SWE Exam with in-depth study materials and multiple-choice questions. Enhance your understanding with well-explained hints and explanations. Ready yourself to excel!

Multiple Choice

How long does it take the sound of thunder to travel 1 mile?

Explanation:
Sound travels through air at about 343 meters per second (roughly 1,125 feet per second) at typical conditions. One mile is 5,280 feet. Time is distance divided by speed, so 5,280 ÷ 1,125 ≈ 4.69 seconds. That’s about five seconds, which is why thunder from a one-mile distance is heard about five seconds later. Temperature can tweak the speed a bit, but the practical takeaway is roughly five seconds per mile. The other time options imply speeds far from the actual speed of sound under normal conditions.

Sound travels through air at about 343 meters per second (roughly 1,125 feet per second) at typical conditions. One mile is 5,280 feet. Time is distance divided by speed, so 5,280 ÷ 1,125 ≈ 4.69 seconds. That’s about five seconds, which is why thunder from a one-mile distance is heard about five seconds later. Temperature can tweak the speed a bit, but the practical takeaway is roughly five seconds per mile. The other time options imply speeds far from the actual speed of sound under normal conditions.

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