Mon Prof Augmenté
Lightning in a Storm Cloud
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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Age 18: open this week
Browse Age 18
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.
Carry on in the app
Three questions on this lesson. It has left the free week, so its quiz is for subscribers.
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