How do the thundernbolts form?

Question

I mean lightning by saying thunderbolts. When I was a kid I was told that they are form because of Negative and Positive charged clashing against each other, but now I think is the time to get the REAL scientific answer. And I hope I am in the correct catagory for asking this question.

Answer 1

Lightning plays a role in many mythologies, often as the weapon of a sky and storm god. As such, it is an unsurpassed method of dramatic instantaneous retributive destruction: thunderbolts as divine weapons can be found in most mythologies. The most familiar thunderbolt weapon in the West was that of Zeus or Jupiter. His thunderbolts, manufactured by Hephaestus/Vulcan, were used to strike down impious criminals and divine opponents.

Answer 2

A lightning bolt is basically the same exact thing as the little static snap you get after dragging your feet across a carpet and touching a metal doorknob; or the little static flashes you see when removing a blanket or certain other fabrics from the dryer, just on a bigger scale. It is the discharge of the static potential build up between a negative charged and positively charged sources. In the case of a lightning bolt, the bolt itself is MUCH larger, hotter and discharges over a larger distance. Various websites will provide very in-depth and detailed information about what a bolt is and what events lead up to it. One good one is http://www.noaa.gov

Answer 3

In plain words, you want something to do and someone else wants something. In human interactions we call that a "dispute". Clouds act somehow the same: negative with negative clash one into the other and cause a big discharge, which is let's say "attracted" downwards, i.e. to the Earth.

Answer 4

I'm POSITIVE that it is cause by a POTENTIAL difference between clouds and the earth. Why are you asking such a CHARGED question in such a NEGATIVE manner? I'm SHOCKED, as this question goes beyond my CAPACITY to understand! I will RESIST any more attempts to INDUCE another answer. Have I made my terms clear?

Answer 5

Lightning is an atmospheric discharge of electricity, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms.

Answer 6

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/ggw/newsletter/summer_05/Lightningformation.pdf it is only one page to read and it will answer your questino in detail