Unit-2: Electrostatics and

Electric Current
MYP-3 Physics
Part-III
What is Lightning?

Lightning occurs because of massive electric charge flowing from

Cloud to Cloud
Cloud to Ground
From one part of cloud to another part.
How does Lightning occur?

When water evaporates it goes to the cloud

atmosphere and condenses and it eventually

forms cloud.

When clouds are moving they rub against

each other and this leads to generation of
charge. The negative charge is accumulated
at the bottom and positive charge in the
upper part of cloud.
How does Lightning occur?
● Thunder clouds carry electric charges and these are separated within the
clouds.
● The lower portion generally carries negative charge and these charges
keep building up.
● Air is an insulator and does not allow flow of charge, but when huge
amount of charge builds up it breaks the insulating property of air and
molecules of air are ripped apart and get charged.
How does Lightning occur?
● Thus charged particle in air becomes the conductor of electric current.
● This takes place in zig-zag manner and conductive path is created from
cloud to ground or to adjacent cloud.

Induction of positive charge on earth due

to the negative charge accumulated at the
bottom
Lightning –Damaging Effect
● A very large amount of electric current is generated when lightning
strikes.

● This enormous amount of heat produced makes the air expand very
suddenly creating waves of vibrations.(Causing thunder that we hear)

● Lightning is accompanied by large amount of electric current and high

temperature causing damage to life ,property and nature.
Lightning –How to prevent Damaging Effect
● Lightning Conductor are used to protect the
buildings from the damaging effect of
lightning.

Lightning conductor runs from top to bottom

along the outer wall of the structure to be
protected. The lower end is connected to a metal
plate which is buried deep under the ground. If
lightning strikes the lightning conductor, it
Lightning can strike
provides easy path for the charge to pass through
the objects and
the ground thus protecting the building.
cause damage
Lightning –Safety Measures
Lightning usually strikes tall buildings and trees. Following safety measures
to be followed if you are caught in thunderstorm
● Do not take shelter under tree as if tree is struck by lightning it could

catch fire causing harm to you.

● Try to stay indoors.

● Do not run across a large open field or high ground.

● If safe place is not found squat down on low-lying place.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bgtz81TXWc