❓ why
Why do lightning bolts zigzag instead of striking in a straight line?
ScienceWeather
Quick Answer
Lightning zigzags because it follows the path of least resistance through turbulent air. The discharge steps through the atmosphere in branching, irregular channels.
The Full Story
Lightning does not travel as a neat straight line because the air between cloud and ground is uneven and constantly changing. The electrical discharge advances in a stepped leader that probes different paths, branching as it goes. When it connects with an upward streamer, a powerful return stroke follows the same jagged route. Temperature, humidity, and particles in the air all affect the path. This is why lightning often looks like a crooked, branching bolt.
Key Facts
1.Lightning uses a stepped leader
2.The return stroke follows the established path
3.Air conditions affect the bolt’s shape
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Why doesn’t lightning just draw a straight line?"