can lightning be considered a form of plasma?

Answer 1

Plasma is the next state of matter at higher temperatures than for gases. It's when atoms themselves break down into free nuclei and electrons, much like how, for example, salt will partially ionize in water. Lightning does produce these extremely high temperatures, creating plasma along its core where air molecules used to be. If pressures were high enough as well, nuclear fusion would occur, and that's exactly the principle behind Sandia Labs Z-machine.

Answer 2

I think lightning actually turns the air into a plasma like substance, so I would say yes

Answer 3

Ball lightning is considered to be plasma I believe.

Answer 4

I've heard it regarded as such. yes

Lightning is made of purely electrons, once they reach the the cloud the vcume they've created colapses and you get the "thunder"