Ka-boom

[15 Minutes]

Do you ever get really scared when a thunder and lightning storm rolls into town? Sometimes, when you understand why something happens, it becomes less scary. Here is a quicker than quick activity that will help you understand thunder. Maybe you will be able to help someone be less frightened during the next storm by explaining just how thunder happens.

You'll need:

• thin paper bags

What to do:

1. If possible, print out these directions. Read them through with your child before you begin.
2. With your child, gather everything you need.
3. As your child watches, blow into a paper bag as you would a balloon.
4. Let your child punch the bag to make it pop.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• What do you think creates the sound of thunder?
• Why did we do this experiment?
• What else would you like to know about thunder?

Useful information:

When we witness a thunder and lightning storm, we are watching one big science experiment. Lightning is a form electricity and it is very hot. It heats up the air around it, which makes the molecules of air expand (spread out). When air expands that quickly, it makes the “boom” or popping noise, not unlike the sound that the paper bag made when the bag was popped. When the boom of thunder bounces of a chain of clouds, it causes a series of echoes to be heard by us on the ground. So the next time you hear a storm coming, tell everyone it’s okay. It’s just air expanding and echoing off of the clouds!