how are lightnings produced?What are lightnings?
2006-09-04 18:46:24 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It is true that lightning takes a path of least resistence, but that resistence has very little to do with air density. It has to do with the conductivity of the particular air molecules around the lightning strike.
One recent theory proposed by Alex Gurevich of the Lebedev Physical Institute in 1992 suggests that lightning strikes are triggered by cosmic rays which ionize atoms, releasing electrons that are accelerated by the electric fields, ionizing other air molecules and making the air conductive by a runaway breakdown, thus starting a lightning strike.
The path of the lightning in this case would then follow the path of the cosmic rays and its trail of ionized air molecules. This path may appear as zigzags, but not always.
2006-09-04 18:58:29 · answer #1 · answered by PhysicsDude 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning bolts are produced when opposite electric charges build up between a cloud and another point, either in the same cloud, on another cloud, or an object on the ground. When the buildup is large enough, they will discharge themselves by a giant spark between the collections.
A good way to visualize what happens is when you walk on a woolen carpet, rubbibg your feet on it as you go along. You will build up charges on your body. Touching a door knob will discharge ou. In doing so, take a close look. You will see a little spark right before you actually touch the knob.
Lightning takes a zigzag path when you see it because lightning (and anything else in the physical world) will take the path where it will take the shortest amount of time to go through. The other guys here already referred to this as the principle of least resistance. Just like a river will always follow the shortest path as it runs down a mountain.
The actual reason of the zigzag pattern is still unknown, but a partial explanation is that the atmosphere alo built up a few charges, and these are the one followed by the bolt of lightning. The other answers also give good ideas.
2006-09-11 14:01:22 · answer #2 · answered by dennis_d_wurm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning occurs when the build up of static electricity in a cloud is large enough to break down the electrical resistance of the atmosphere. It does this by causing ionisation.
The breakdown does not - indeed could not - happen all at once. Instead, a short stretch of atmosphere breaks down, and a current flows. There is then a pause and the field between earth and cloud builds again, and the next stretch breaks down. These pauses can be seen in very high speed photography. The steps the lightening takes to ground of course are very unlikely to form a straight line.
In fact, the initial strike of lightening is from the ground to the cloud. This leaves a trail of ionised air through which the main strike flows from the cloud to the ground. This can repeat several times, which is why some stikes seem to last a long time.
2006-09-05 03:56:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning travels through the path of least electrical resistance, which appear like a zigzag.
2006-09-05 01:50:41 · answer #4 · answered by BabyMD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your check photographs of real lightning bolts, they really don't look like zigzags - just curvy lines the sometimes fork out into two. The travel in curves alot because they follow paths that don't repel electrical energy.
2006-09-05 01:53:56 · answer #5 · answered by sorcmagiwizlv99 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it follows the path of least resistance.
Lightning is produced by a buildup of static charge in the atmosphere.
Basically, a lightning strike is simply a *huge* spark.
Doug
2006-09-05 01:50:37 · answer #6 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lightning comes about when static charges build up in clouds until it cannot be stored. it discharges as a high voltage streak of lightning.
2006-09-05 01:49:33 · answer #7 · answered by maczh2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does not, you are too used to cartoons and such. It splits and such but it does not zagzig. When a charge builds up in a cloud the charge then seeks a ground, some times something on earth and sometimes another charge in a cloud or something that is flying, plane or kite or...
2006-09-05 01:52:32 · answer #8 · answered by bigjohn B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it take the path of least resistance. Differences in the air density and particles floating in the air change the resistance the electrons free as they leave the earth heading upward. Unless you want to talk about electron hole theory (visa versa).
2006-09-05 01:50:37 · answer #9 · answered by macearth2000 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋