can someone give me a link to pics olightning striking
2007-01-10 01:12:45 · 10 answers · asked by JOE M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Both. The most common form of lightning begins when an initial bipolar discharge, or path of ionized air, starts from a negatively charged region in the thundercloud. The discharge ionized channels are called leaders. The negative charged leaders, called a "stepped leader", proceed generally downward in a large number of quick jumps, each up to 50 metres long. Along the way, the stepped leader may branch into a number of paths as it continues to descend. The progression of stepped leaders takes a comparatively long time (hundreds of milliseconds) to approach the ground. This initial phase involves a relatively small electric current (tens or hundreds of amperes), and the leader is almost invisible compared to the subsequent lightning channel. When the downward leader is quite close to the ground, one or more smaller discharges (called positive streamers) arise from nearby, usually tall, grounded objects due to the intense electric field created by the approaching leaders. As one of the rising streamers meets a stepped leader, the circuit is closed, and the main lightning stroke (often referred to as the return stroke) follows with much higher current.
For pictures see the site listed below or go to http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=lightning
2007-01-10 01:27:34 · answer #1 · answered by j_n_turner 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is discovered that temperature and water vapor pressure in thunderstorm clouds are associated with the positive and negative ions that cause lightning when the opposite charge collide.But the collision may take place between one part of a cloud and another part (intracloud), between one cloud and another (intercloud), between a cloud and the earth, or earth and cloud. Long-lasting lightning flashes with lower current are more damaging to nature and humans than shorter flashes with higher currents..
n yeah lightning strikes from the sky to the earth,
well lightning may occur in earth during short circuit in the house(just kidding)
the below link is linked with many so it may help u..
2007-01-10 09:44:23 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electricity flows from positive to negative. Super charged clouds generate enough frictional force to positivly charge them, meaning the electric current flows from the sky to the ground. I have actually watched lightning start to aproach the ground, only to curve back up into the clouds.
2007-01-10 10:26:35 · answer #3 · answered by josh_maurer2002 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lightning developed by the charged particles in the dust and cloud when they tend to find a path to wards earth they discharge the store energy where the path is easy
2007-01-10 11:29:29 · answer #4 · answered by david j 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand that sheet lightning is a discharge from one cloud to another and that forked lightning is a discharge from a cloud to the earth's surface
2007-01-10 09:52:36 · answer #5 · answered by rosie recipe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard that it goes from the Earth to the sky.
2007-01-10 09:20:52 · answer #6 · answered by barksabit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going at the speed of light, its hard to tell. I'd have to say that it forms in the middle where negative and positive particles collide.
2007-01-10 09:19:24 · answer #7 · answered by Giant Squid Man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
vice versa.It is caused by two opp. charged clouds.It goes from sky to earth.For more reference and pics visit wikipedia.I have given links below
2007-01-10 09:26:40 · answer #8 · answered by ashwin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electricity flows FROM the ground.
2007-01-10 09:24:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it goes in both directions.
2007-01-10 09:26:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋