Question

applying the speed of sound
johnny was playing baseball with his friends and they noticed a bolt of lightning. they heard thunder seven seconds later.
how far away is the storm?
meters

Explanation:

Step1: Recall speed of sound formula

The speed of sound in air is approximately \( v = 343\space m/s \) (at 20°C, standard conditions). The formula relating distance \( d \), speed \( v \), and time \( t \) is \( d=v\times t \).

Step2: Identify given values

Time \( t = 7\space s \), speed of sound \( v = 343\space m/s \).

Step3: Calculate distance

Substitute values into the formula: \( d = 343\space m/s\times7\space s \)
\( d=2401\space m \). To convert to kilometers, divide by 1000: \( d=\frac{2401}{1000}=2.401\space km \) (or if we use approximate speed of sound as 340 m/s for simplicity, \( d = 340\times7 = 2380\space m=2.38\space km \), but using 343 gives more accurate).

Answer:

Using \( v = 343\space m/s \), the distance is \( 2.401\) kilometers (or approximately \( 2.4\) or \( 2.38\) depending on speed approximation). If we take speed of sound as \( 340\space m/s \), then \( 340\times7 = 2380\space m = 2.38\space km \), and if we use \( 330\space m/s \) (another approximation), \( 330\times7 = 2310\space m=2.31\space km \). Commonly, a rough estimate uses \( 340\space m/s \), so the answer is approximately \( 2.38\) kilometers (or \( 2401\) meters).