How much water is ionized in the lightning?

In summary, water is ionized in lightning through a process called "electrolysis" where the strong electric field in a lightning bolt splits water molecules into positively charged hydrogen ions and negatively charged oxygen ions. A single lightning bolt can ionize about 15,000 gallons of water, but only a small portion of the water in a thunderstorm is actually ionized. Lightning can also ionize other substances such as metals and minerals. Ionized water plays a crucial role in the formation of lightning by creating a strong electric field that leads to the buildup and discharge of charge.
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If each water molecule donates one electron,
how much water is ionized in the lightning?
One mole of water has a mass of 18.1 g/mol.
Answer in units of g.


Avogadro’s number is 6.02214e23 /mol.


ok so this is what i did...
(18.1grams/1mole)(1mol/6.02214e23 molecules)=3.005576e-23
this is wrong since it doesn't give the right units. How would i do this?
 
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How many coulombs in that bolt of lightning and what fraction of those electrons are involved in the ionization of water.

Not enough information but I'm guessing the answer is 42.
 
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1. How is water ionized in lightning?

Water is ionized in lightning through a process called "electrolysis". This occurs when the strong electric field in a lightning bolt causes the water molecules to split into positively charged hydrogen ions and negatively charged oxygen ions.

2. How much water is ionized in a single lightning bolt?

The amount of water that is ionized in a lightning bolt can vary greatly, but on average, it is estimated that a single bolt can ionize about 15,000 gallons of water.

3. Is all of the water in a thunderstorm ionized during a lightning strike?

No, only a small portion of the water in a thunderstorm is actually ionized during a lightning strike. Most of the water in a storm is in the form of water droplets, which are not easily ionized by the electric field.

4. Can lightning ionize other substances besides water?

Yes, lightning can ionize other substances besides water. Any substance that is capable of conducting electricity, such as metals or minerals, can be ionized by a lightning bolt.

5. What role does ionized water play in the formation of lightning?

Ionized water plays a crucial role in the formation of lightning. The separation of positive and negative ions in the atmosphere creates a strong electric field, which can then lead to the buildup of charge and the eventual discharge of lightning.

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