Lightning

Thunderstorm T/F 1.There are about 2000 storms going on a any one time around the world? –TRUE 2.There are no detection systems available for tracking thunderstorms –FALSE 3.The CN Tower is frequently hit by lightning –TRUE 4.Lightning causes about 4000 forest fires a year in Canada alone –TRUE

Thunderstorm T/F 5.Lightning always causes death when it strikes someone –FALSE 6.All regions of Canada experience thunderstorms –FALSE 7.The static electricity in a lightning bolt comes from air molecules rubbing together –FALSE 8.A lightning bolt is almost as hot as the surface of the sun –FALSE

Thunderstorm T/F 9.You can tell how far away a thunderstorm is by counting the seconds between the thunder and lightning –TRUE 10.Staying inside your car is safer than being in an open field in a thunderstorm –TRUE

Electric Discharge The rapid transfer of electrons from one object to another i.e. when you rub your socks on the carpet electrons from the carpet move to you – you may feel a SHOCK!! SHOCK VIDEO

Electric Discharge Lightning is a natural electric discharge example – a giant spark!

Lightning is Slow Motion Video

Lightning Formation During a storm atoms in clouds bump together and their charges separate A negative charge forms at the bottom of the cloud

How Lightning Works The negative electrical charge at the bottom of a cloud creates a positive charge in the ground below. WHY?

How Lightning Works As the negative charge get stronger, the air cannot stop it from jumping from the cloud towards the positive charge on the ground. The giant spark of electricity is the lightning that we see.

How lightning Works Video

Forked Lightning Image Source: Image Source: Image Source:

Ribbon Lighting

Bead Lightning

Lightning on L.Superior