Lightning an amazing phenomenon
What Is Lightning?
Lightning is a naturally occurring electrostatic discharge during which
two electrically charged regions in the atmosphere or ground
temporarily equalize themselves, causing the instantaneous release
of as much as one gigajoule of energy.
The three main kinds of lightning are distinguished by where they
occur: either inside a single thundercloud, between two different
clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.
Lightning kills and injures more people each year than hurricanes or
tornadoes; between 75 to 100 people.
How does Lightning Occurs?
Lightning is an electric current. Within a thundercloud way
up in the sky, many small bits of frozen raindrop's bump
into each other as they move around. All of those collisions
create an electric charge. After a while, the whole cloud fills
up with electrical charges. The positive charges or protons
form at the top of the cloud and the negative charges or
electrons form at the bottom of the cloud. Since opposites
attract, that causes a positive charge to build up beneath
the cloud. The grounds electrical charge concentrates
around anything that sticks up, such as mountains, tall
buildings, or single trees. The charge coming up from these
points eventually connects with a charge reaching down
from the clouds and lightning occurs.
Safety Measures during a Thunderstorm
If the weather forecast calls for thunderstorms, postpone
your trip or activity.
Don’t forget the 30-30 rule. After you see lightning, start
counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go
indoors.
If no shelter is available, crouch low.
Stay away from concrete floors or walls.
Avoid corded phones. However, cordless or cellular phones
are safe to use during a storm.
Avoid electronic equipment of all types. Lightning can travel
through electrical systems and radio and television
reception systems.
Awesome Facts about Lightning
How hot is a lightning bolt? Only about 54,000 degrees
Fahrenheit roughly 6 times hotter than the surface of the
sun!
An average lightning bolt can release enough energy to
operate a 100-watt light bulb for more than three months
straight.
Lightning kills about 2,000 people a year, so stay inside
during lightning storms.
Lightning flashes more than 3 million times a day
worldwide — that’s about 40 times a second. Not all those
flashes hit the ground — some happen between or inside
clouds.
"Logic will get you from A to B.
Imagination will take you everywhere."
Thank You
