Erica Anne Headley, aga 9' of Milford, Conn. for her question:

Why does thunder make such a loud noise?

Noises come to our ears through the air. And the invisible air is made of tiny molecules, too small for our eyes to see. Sounds are like punching blows of energy. In order to travel from here to there, they need to bash along through rows and rows of zillions of molecules. The sound of thunder bashes through the air because it starts with a big explosion.

Lightning is a fiery streak of electricity. When it flashes from a storm cloud, it heats up the air in its path. Warm air always tries to expand and spread its mole¬cules farther apart. The lightning makes a path of very hot air in a hurry. The cooler air around it cannot move fast enough to let it expand. So the hot air whacks the cool air away with a roaring explosion. This is what makes the noisy bang  thunder that comes with the lightning.