Why lightning always goes downwards?
2007-06-10 12:15:01 · 7 answers · asked by Stergios N 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
because it is attracted by the positive charges present in the earth,since lightning is made up of negative charges(unlike charges attract).
2007-06-10 12:41:41 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Eddie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning does not always go downwards. As a matter of fact, most lightning bolts are from cloud to cloud, not from cloud to ground. Bolts which do go downwards are the result of a large voltage difference between the cloud and ground, brought about by the accumulation of electric charge in the cloud. A large charge on the cloud creates an opposite charge on the adjacent ground ( or cloud). It is thought that the bolt actually starts with small discharges called 'streamers', which ionize a path, which then becomes a conductor for the main lightning bolt. Fuzzy anti-lightning devices used on power lines and sailboat masts seek to discourage the formation of these streamers by discharging the ground end of the charge differential harmlessly. They do seem to work.
2007-06-10 15:17:51 · answer #2 · answered by squeezie_1999 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm far from certain that lightning does actually always go down.
According to New Scientist magazine there have been some experiments which strongly suggest that a charge on the ground can go upwards. I cannot easily find the article I'm quoting so won't go any further. However I would suggest keeping an open mind on this as there is some suggestion, at least, which suggests otherwise.
2007-06-10 12:26:00 · answer #3 · answered by Brett2010 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are lots of lightning strikes that go from one part of a cloud to another. Some of these strikes can move almost sideways, although many times they are from lower parts of clouds to higher parts of clouds. The reason you see the ones that strike the earth is that you can't see what goes on in the clouds. Even ground strikes don't move straight up and down all the time.
2007-06-10 15:22:44 · answer #4 · answered by William D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lightning strikes from ground up!!! The electrical ground is the Earth it has a negative potential, the clouds have a positive potential from friction. Since lightning is a flow of electrons it actually strikes ground to cloud not cloud to ground.
2007-06-10 13:44:20 · answer #5 · answered by Deslok of Gammalon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can also go from earth to cloud and from cloud to cloud and from cloud to space.
2007-06-13 05:05:43 · answer #6 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cloud-to-cloud discharge is common.
2007-06-10 12:18:25 · answer #7 · answered by Uncle Al 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋