The connection between lightning and thunder is rooted in the physics of electrical discharge. Lightning is a rapid release of electricity during a storm, which generates intense heat as it travels through the atmosphere. This heat causes the surrounding air to expand explosively, creating a shock wave that manifests as thunder. The sound of thunder reaches our ears after lightning is seen because light travels faster than sound. Therefore, there is often a delay between observing lightning and hearing thunder, which can help estimate the distance of the storm.