How Many Watts Are Involved in Lightning?

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Lightning strikes last only a few milliseconds but can carry immense power, with estimates ranging from 1,000 watts to several gigawatts. The calculations show that lightning can produce between 100 million volts to 2 billion volts and 100 to 40,000 amps, leading to the conclusion that the total power output is in the gigawatt range. There is skepticism regarding the lower estimate of 1,000 watts, as many participants in the discussion argue that it underestimates the true power of lightning. The conversation highlights the complexity of measuring lightning's energy and the varying interpretations of its power output. Overall, the consensus leans towards the understanding that lightning can indeed reach several gigawatts.
pedram
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hi guys
i want know how many watts does a lighting have?
---------------------------------------------------------
(lighting=the power that exchange between clouds an earth)

(im sorry about my english words becaus i don't speak english)
thanks
bye
 
Science news on Phys.org
"A lightning strike lasts only a few milliseconds but carries 1000 Watts of power"
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/Magazine/JA00/lightning/nuts_bolts.html
There are other curious facts about lightnings in this webpage
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally posted by meteor
"A lightning strike lasts only a few milliseconds but carries 1000 Watts of power"
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/Magazine/JA00/lightning/nuts_bolts.html
There are other curious facts about lightnings in this webpage

I read the link, but I can't believe this is accurate.

Using:

Watts = volts x amps

amps for a lightning strike 100 to 40,000

volts = 100 MV to 2 GV

I'm seeing several gigawatts here.

Here is another link.

Lightning parameters
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Originally posted by Artman
I read the link, but I can't believe this is accurate...

I'm seeing several gigawatts here.
Agreed. Several gigawatts sounds more like it.
 

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