Does lightning only strike charged objects?

Question

Or maybe just unfortunate objects in the way? How does the lost charge in the thundercloud get replaced?

Answer 1

Lightning occurs when a buildup of charged particles occurs in an isolated area in the clouds. It does not have to strike a charged object, but only one that conducts and allows electrons to flow freely, such as a metal pole (or a human unfortunately). What happens is the electrons actually flow through the object and either up or down (depending on the type of lightning, positive or negative) and creates a plasma, which we call lightning, as the electrons slice through the air, and this neutralizes the cloud. The object that got hit though, remains charged one way or the other. Lightning rods "attract" lightning because they conduct so easily, so it is more likely they will provide the dipole lightning needs. These rods are usually grounded so that when it is struck, the ground provides the neutralization necessary for the rod.

This is why it hurts so much when a human is struck. Electrons just flow through the entire body, and is basically like we're the fork in a giant electric socket.

Answer 2

To answer your last question first:

The charge in the thundercloud isn't lost. What causes lightning is a built-up charge difference between two different bodies - in the case of cloud-to-ground lightning, cloud and the...uhm...ground. They have different charges. The lightning strike is a big static shock that re-equalizes those charges. So, really, this isn't a matter of a charge lost from the cloud, but in reality it's a matter of the cloud returning its charge to the ground.

A better question would have been: "How does the ground's lost charge get replaced," and the answer is "lightning."

At any rate, lightning will strike any object, charged or uncharged, that is in a region with a charge differential relative to the clouds. And since electricity likes to take the shortest possible path, it'll arc towards anything taller than the ground that's available. Like golf flags, trees, or Uncle Sid.

Answer 3

Lightning, like all forms of electricity, takes the path of least resistance.
It will travel through a conductor, even if the conductor is not charged, if that conductor is located in a place that will permit the flow if the current from a negatively charged area to a positively charged area more easily than other paths the current may otherwise choose.

Answer 4

There must be always an equilibrium between the two objects. So when an object has a charge, opposite or more to the other object, a spark will jump. From the charged, to the less or no charged. The lightning is a big spark from cloud to cloud. The top of the cloud is positive charge and under is negative. So when two clouds meet, either one of them will jump a spark to one of them. Negative always to postive or positive always to negative.

Answer 5

Yes, before lightning strikes a cycle of back and forth flow of charges starts. The lightning is only the last cycle.

Answer 6

It's not randomly. Zeus, the Greek God looks for bad people from his grand position up in the clouds and aims at these badly-behaving. And he strikes them.