How does a lightning strike happen between clouds and the ground?
Quick Answer
Lightning forms when separated electric charges create a huge voltage difference. Once the electric field is strong enough, air breaks down and conducts a powerful discharge.
The Full Story
Inside storm clouds, collisions between ice particles separate positive and negative charges. This charge separation can create an enormous electric field between parts of the cloud or between the cloud and the ground. When the field becomes strong enough, the insulating air ionizes and a lightning channel forms. A typical lightning bolt can carry tens of thousands of amperes and heat the air to around 30,000°C, hotter than the surface of the Sun. The visible flash is followed by thunder, which is the sound of rapidly expanding air.
Key Facts
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