If you could see electricity, would it look like lightning?
2006-07-17 12:31:04 · 13 answers · asked by GeorgieBoy 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Ah, Dah!
2006-07-18 03:40:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Electricity is the flow of electrons which are extremely small particles. The flash of lightning is caused by photons given off when the electrons collide with the atoms of the atmosphere.
You can see the results of electric current but it would be difficult to see the actual flow.
2006-07-17 12:39:46 · answer #2 · answered by Gerry R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you were to shrink down to the size of an atom, you would probably see the atom as a "Solid Shell" as the electron moves around the Nucleus at the speed of light. The reason it would look like a "Solid Shell" is that the electron can be at any one point in it's orbit at any one time. So it would look to you as if it were everywhere at once. If you could "See" through this shell you would be so far from the nucleus you would not be able to see it. If you could walk through the shell and walk to the nucleus, it would probably look like a seething ball of energy with the neutrons and protons bulging out of the eerie glow of the Nuclear Strong force.
Electricity would look like a single stream of electrons as they zipped from atom to atom. not to unlike a small Lightning bolt 8-)
2006-07-17 15:41:05 · answer #3 · answered by TommyTrouble 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it looks like lightning.
2006-07-17 12:34:54 · answer #4 · answered by wacky_racer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's visible, as it is just moving electrons. However, it is invisible to us since these traveling electrons are never even close to dense enough to be seen. The blue streaks are what we see when electricity jumps through air (mostly nitrogen). If it jumped through helium, you would see orange.
2006-07-17 22:41:52 · answer #5 · answered by jsprplc2006 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
since it is comprised of electrons, the negative particle in the electron cloud of an atom and since we can't see atoms, you can't see electrons....What you see from something like static electricity is simply millions of electrons changing to a different energy level...when they do this they give off light and this is what you see......same for lightning outside...difference of charges makes electrons move about.....have fun!
2006-07-17 12:37:30 · answer #6 · answered by Alanb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, even though it is traveling at the speed of light,
it is a steady light. Just look at a clear lightbulb.
or, you can always wall socket, no, forget I said that.
Don´t ever try that at home.
I'm not responsible for any of your actions!
Good light, sorry, luck!
2006-07-17 12:37:56 · answer #7 · answered by vim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it looks like mini lighting i once pulled a plug out of my wall fast and i saw a reaction
2006-07-17 12:37:17 · answer #8 · answered by Georgie G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fast!
2006-07-17 12:33:53 · answer #9 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-07-17 12:34:24 · answer #10 · answered by nina 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
like a photon
2006-07-17 15:59:45 · answer #11 · answered by a e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋