Lightning strike->positive streamers

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter adlfurball
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Lightning
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of positive streamers generated during a lightning strike. It is established that when lightning strikes, it connects to a positive streamer to complete the electrical circuit. Furthermore, it is confirmed that humans can produce positive streamers when subjected to a sufficiently strong electric field, as any conductor, including the human body, can generate these streamers. The conversation also notes that insulators with higher breakdown fields than air will not allow the electric field to reach the necessary strength for streamer formation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrical fields and conductivity
  • Knowledge of lightning strike mechanics
  • Familiarity with the concept of positive streamers
  • Basic principles of insulators and their breakdown fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of lightning and its interaction with various materials
  • Study the formation and characteristics of positive streamers in electrical discharges
  • Explore the breakdown voltage of different insulators compared to air
  • Investigate the effects of electric fields on human physiology
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, meteorologists, and anyone interested in the science of lightning and electrical phenomena.

adlfurball
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Lightning strike--->positive streamers

they said the lightning will connect to a positive streamer to "complete" the circuit. When a lightning strikes a man, do human produce positive streamers?
 
Science news on Phys.org


Yes, any conductor in a sufficiently strong electric field will do so, including human body.
 


In a strong enough electric field, any material becomes a 'conductor'.
 


Yes, but if you take an insulator that breaks down at higher field than air, the field will never get strong enough.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
8K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
6K