Mon Prof Augmenté
Lightning in a Storm Cloud
Age 18 · Physics
Inside a towering storm cloud, colliding ice crystals and raindrops separate electric charge. A bright electrical discharge then jumps from the cloud base to the ground.
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In the picture
- Towering storm cloud: a tall cloud with a dark base and a wide anvil top.
- Ice crystals and raindrops: small particles colliding inside the cloud.
- Positive charge region: plus signs gathered near the cloud top.
- Negative charge region: minus signs gathered near the cloud base.
- Lightning channel: a bright jagged path from the cloud base to the ground.
Examples
- A flash of lightning during a thunderstorm.
- A static shock from a metal doorknob after walking on carpet.
Key takeaways
- Lightning is an electrical discharge, not simply a flash of light.
- Charge separation inside storm clouds builds the electrical potential that drives a lightning strike.
Quiz: Lightning in a Storm Cloud (Age 18)
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What is lightning fundamentally?
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What separates electric charge inside a towering storm cloud?
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Where is the negative charge region located in the storm cloud?
The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.
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