Is it the earth or the clouds?
2007-07-09 15:23:03 · 6 answers · asked by some guy 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Most of the cloud is negatively charged but, the base of the cloud is positively charged. This negative charge comes from from the friction of the falling rain, ice, etc. (hydrometeors). That charge goes towards the ground which hits positively charged particles coming from the earth to create the visible lightning bolt.
2007-07-10 04:54:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the ice particles within a cloud (called hydrometeors) grow and interact, they collide, fracture and break apart. It is thought that the smaller particles tend to acquire positive charge, while the larger particles acquire more negative charge. These particles tend to separate under the influences of updrafts and gravity until the upper portion of the cloud acquires a net positive charge and the lower portion of the cloud becomes negatively charged. This separation of charge produces enormous electrical potential both within the cloud and between the cloud and ground. This can amount to millions of volts, and eventually the electrical resistance in the air breaks down and a flash begins. Lightning, then, is an electrical discharge between positive and negative regions of a thunderstorm.
The lightning is the movement of electrons. All electrons on this earth are negative. Therefore all lightning bolts are negatively charged.
2007-07-09 22:34:21 · answer #2 · answered by eric l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clouds.Earth is considerd to be at zero potential.That does not mean it should be at negative potental.In the case of thunder clouds the base is considered at a negative potential compared to the earth.So in the case of lightning between a cloud and earth, the clouds are at a lower potential and hence are negatively charged.
2007-07-09 23:35:06 · answer #3 · answered by Arasan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing I heard about negative and positive, is that the earth is negative and the atmosphere is positive. So I would think that it started from the ground first that caused the attraction of lighting to it. Like as if the negative part was stronger than the positive part this time, and that is what attracted it to the ground. But I think that you would still need both the positive and the negative to get the reaction of lighting to begin with!.But I'm just guessing.
2007-07-09 22:52:01 · answer #4 · answered by Powersthatbe 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
that depends, what matters is that there's a potential difference between the two. But most of the time, the earth is at 0 potential.
2007-07-09 22:26:10 · answer #5 · answered by Mock Turtle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some of the hydrometeors in clouds
2007-07-09 23:05:03 · answer #6 · answered by nightowl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋