storms and lighting are cause by disparate temperature conditions on land, and I'm sure there are 'storms' in the ocean also. Is any sort of electrical discharge created under water when warm and cold water masses interact?
2007-09-11 01:37:49 · 5 answers · asked by Fancy That 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Jeff H.
Thanks, but WHY can't charges build in the ocean. Its full of ions, right?
2007-09-11 01:52:24 · update #1
In the atmosphere lightning is caused by rapid movements of the air. You've probably seen the towering thunderclouds billowing upwards, this is caused by air raidly rising within the thundercloud.
As the air rises it creates a positive charge at the top of the cloud and a negative charge at the base (positive charge on Earth as well). Lightnining is effectively a giant spark leaping between the two differently charged areas.
Air is a poor conductor which is why these massive charges can build up. On the other hand water is a good conductor so it wouldn't be possible for such charges to build - they'd be constantly cancelling each other out. Also, water doesbn't become charged in the same way that the particles of air become charged.
Lightning can strike the seas and oceans but the charge is dispersed across the surface of the ocean rather than penetrating deep into the water. It doesn't disperse very far, there is a formula for working out the distance but I've forgotten it.
2007-09-11 10:44:37 · answer #1 · answered by Trevor 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Temperature has nothing to do with lightning generation...
Lightning is the result of build-up of positive OR negative charges (abundance or lack of electrons) in a specific area of the sky. This charge reaches a point in which it needs to equalize itself and therefore looks for the closest point (sky or ground or water surface) where it can release this stored charge. That release is the surge of energy of the flow of electrons that we see in the form of light, heat, and the thunderous sound. Air is a very poor conductor of electricity, which is why these charges are allowed to build.
Water is an excellent conductor of electricity (actually all of the "stuff" dissolved in water -- distilled water doesn't conduct electricity) so therefore a static charge and the resultant discharge (lightning) cannot occur.
Hope this helps!!!
2007-09-11 01:57:25 · answer #2 · answered by Jeff L 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure lightning will discharge into the ocean from the atmosphere. Ocean water conducts electricity so charges do not build up.
2007-09-11 01:56:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Nope, charges can't build in the ocean.
The ions are the exact reason that the charges can't build up.
Air is an insulator and clouds build up a charge because they are insulated from the ground. The ocean is one giant conductor, so no section gets insulated from any other... the charges can't build up without insulation.
2007-09-11 01:45:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hilarious. you have discovered a tidbit of reality and as a result are patently qualified to push aside Environmentalism. You get "Funniest post of the Day." P.S. people as stupid as this scare the bejeezus out of me. Please tell me you're neutered?
2016-11-14 22:36:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋