2007-04-15 17:25:34 · 4 answers · asked by ηєvєrmorє 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
It's similar to what happens when you pull the plug out of a socket and see an electrical arc. When there is enough electrical potential (volts) to overcome the resistance of the air, electrical energy flows to a lower potential. When electrical charge builds up in the clouds to millions of volts eventually there is enough of a potential for the electrons to flow to a lower potential which may be a cloud or the ground, whichever has the least path of resistance. If you place some water on a board and tip the board up, you give the water potential energy by virtue of its height. Eventually it will will flow to a lower spot. Lightning is electrical potential that has found a lower path to flow to.
2007-04-16 04:01:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning is static electricity in action. while the version in means (Volts) is severe sufficient (megavolts), you will get a lightning bolt. The air gets ionized via the lightning formidable and the electrical powered resistance decreases to help sustain the arc until the flair distinction no longer is waiting to help the lightning bolt. this is totally like a spark plug in a automobile engine. each so often you have cloud to cloud lightning, cloud to earth and earth to cloud.
2016-11-24 21:44:44 · answer #2 · answered by souders 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When lightning touches the earth, the ground gets fertilized.
When lightning strikes between clouds, an electrical charge is produced.
2007-04-15 17:40:11 · answer #3 · answered by kriend 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is the discharge of static build up between positive and negative
2007-04-15 17:35:50 · answer #4 · answered by jake 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋