- #1
- 131
- 1
! Lightning !
How does lightning occur ?
Please give a brief answer
Thanks in advance
How does lightning occur ?
Please give a brief answer
Thanks in advance
Lightning: How Does It Occur?
- Thread starter johncena
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Lightning
- #2
- 212
- 0
johncena said:How does lightning occur ?
Please give a brief answer
Thanks in advance
ZZZzzzaaappp...(sorry - it's been a long morning).
- #3
Ivan Seeking
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 8,080
- 1,620
johncena said:How does lightning occur ?
Please give a brief answer
Thanks in advance
We're not sure. We know that areas having a high electric potential as compared to the ground evolve under the right conditions. Eventually the potential is high enough for a discharge to occur [I think about 30KV per meter], but the mechanism of charge separaton is not understood - at least there is no explanation that is universally accepted as being definitive.
- #4
- 33
- 0
Okay, My question is related to this topic so I will ask it here rather than creating a new topic.
I want to know the temperature attained by the air around a
space(at normal temperature and pressure) where a corona discharge takes place.
Also can the process of corona discharge be taken as an adiabatic process?
Thanks in advance for the replies.
1. What causes lightning?
Lightning is caused by an electrical discharge between a positively charged area and a negatively charged area. This can occur within a single cloud, or between different clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.
2. How does lightning form?
Lightning forms when warm air rises and collides with colder air, creating an unstable atmosphere. This causes water droplets and ice particles to collide and create electrical charges. The positive charges rise to the top of the cloud while the negative charges sink to the bottom, creating a separation of charges that leads to lightning.
3. Is lightning random or predictable?
While lightning may seem random, it is actually quite predictable. Meteorologists use advanced technology to track and predict where lightning is likely to strike, based on atmospheric conditions and the movement of storm systems.
4. How hot is lightning?
The air surrounding a lightning bolt can reach temperatures of up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is five times hotter than the surface of the sun. This extreme heat is what causes the loud thunderclap that we hear after a lightning strike.
5. Can lightning be dangerous?
Yes, lightning can be very dangerous. It can cause serious injuries or even death if a person is struck by a lightning bolt or if it strikes an object near them. It is important to seek shelter during a lightning storm and avoid being outdoors or near tall objects such as trees or metal structures.