9.10 Static Electricity and Lightning

Lightning Did you know lightning is static electricity moving between two clouds or a cloud and the ground? Lightning is a spark in the sky during a thunderstorm. It is five times hotter than the surface of the sun. Even though lightning may discharge an enormous amount of electricity, its energy can’t be used because it lasts for such a short amount of time.

Clouds are objects that can hold a charge. Lightning happens when the negative charges concentrated near the bottom of the cloud transfer to the ground in a huge spark. What “shape” do we usually think lightning has? Lightning appears jagged because it follows concentrations of positive ions in the air. Why does it do this? The negative lightning is attracted to the positive ions. It’s the easiest way for lightning to move through the air. How Does it Happen?

What kind of objects are going to conduct the lightning to the ground? Tall objects such as trees and skyscrapers are most likely to become conductors. It can even be you if you are the tallest object around. Lightning rods are used on tall buildings to help neutralize lightning so they don’t get hit. If they do get hit, the electricity is transferred into the ground. What is this called? How does this happen? This is grounding. The lightning travels down the rod, through a wire and into a metal plate buried in the ground. Lightning Conductors

How To Stay Safe from Lightning? If You Are Outside Stay away from water Go indoors or into a car Stay away from telephone poles and trees Stay low to the ground to avoid being the tallest object Stay away from anything metal, such as a bicycle If You Are Inside Stay away from windows and doors because of metal parts Stay away from water taps that might conduct electricity Don't use and unplug any electric appliances Do not use a telephone

A cloud-to-ground lightning strike begins when the air 'breaks down' in a chain-reaction type fashion starting in the charge region in the lower section of the storm cloud. The air breaks down in narrow paths called leaders that split apart and branch out as the 'chain reaction' moves, in steps, toward the ground

Ground to cloud - The same as above with the exception that usually a tall earth-bound object initiates the strike to the cloud

Ground to cloud lightning

Cloud to cloud - Also the same mechanics as discussed above except the strike travels from one cloud to another

Multiple cloud-to-ground and cloud-to-cloud lightning strokes

Fulgurites are created when lightning hits the ground and turns the sand into glass.

This fulgurite reaches far down into the sand of this beach.

Boeing 747 Hit by Lightning

The CN Tower in Toronto

Inside a car, hit by lightning