Nama: Fatharani Azka Fauziyyah

Kelas: XII MIPA 6

No. Absen : 10
Hari/Tanggal : 30 September 2020
PJJ BAHASA INGGRIS
EXPLANATION TEXT

How does Lightning Happen?

When the rainy season arrives, we must be familiar with lightning. The word “lightning” comes
from the Old English word “lihting” or “lightnen” which means “make bright.” Lightning is a
natural phenomenon that usually appears on the rain and brings a flash of blinding light and the
sound is jarring. Many people mistake lightning for thunder. The truth is they are two different
things. What is the difference between them? Thunder is the rumbling sound that is heard
during thunderstorms while lightning is that sudden flash of electricity in the sky which can
either be straight or forked. Both occur at the same time during a thunderstorm, but since light
travel faster than sound, lightning is seen first before we can hear the sound of thunder. Next,
let’s learn about the process of lightning so that we can understand more about it.

Lightning is the result of a large charge separation within a cloud. Clouds are composed of
millions of ice particles and water droplets. These particles collide with other condensing
moisture as it rises, and when they do, electrons are knocked loose. These electrons build up at
the bottom of a cloud and make it negatively charged. The rising moisture molecules, now
missing electrons, become positively charged and gather at the top of the cloud. This creates a
charge separation, which has an electric field that is negative at the bottom and positive at the
top. As the collisions continue, the electric field builds so strong that it gives the planet's surface
a positive charge. When these charges become powerful enough, the cloud's electricity is
discharged toward the Earth's surface, which the results is Lightning.

We have to be careful of lightning. Although the lightning current is only momentary, for about
200 microseconds, but the damage is extraordinary. The effect of direct attack is evident,
ranging from damage to buildings, fire, until the danger of death to human. But, we don’t need
to worry because as long as we are careful and stay in the house, we’ll be fine.

How does Lightning Happen? | Fatharani Azka Fauziyyah/XII MIPA 6/ 10