Lightning: A Natural Phenomenon

Introduction

Lightning, thunder, and terror. It seems very interesting and thrilling when we see lightning during thunderstorms in the sky. Many people are afraid of lightning and the sound of thunder. But what exactly is happening up there, and how can we understand it scientifically?

Key Takeaways

• Lightning is a sudden flow of electrons from a higher potential region to a lower potential region.
• The intense heat of lightning is responsible for instantly charring trees and superheating the surrounding air.
• You can easily calculate your distance from a lightning strike using the time gap between the flash of light and the crack of thunder.

What is Lightning?

Lightning is generally lines of electrons or a flow of electrons from a higher potential region to a lower potential region that forms due to some static and dynamic charge distributions in our environment, specifically in the atmosphere or near the Earth’s surface.

The flow of these electrons is very sudden. As the charge difference between two regions becomes zero or nearly zero, the lightning stops. However, there is a continuous dynamic charge allocation due to bad weather conditions. As the environment reaches a steady state, the discrete distribution of dynamic charges slows down to a minimal level, which is why there is no lightning after the bad weather ends.

If the Earth can do anything in order to neutralize another system, then why does it not stop bad weather and lightning by neutralizing the dynamic charges even before it takes place? The answer hides in the fact that air is a bad conductor of electricity. It restricts the flow of electrons in its region. Therefore, the process of neutralizing thunderstorms is relatively slow. Dynamic charges sometimes help the Earth to neutralize the atmosphere as lightning, but they also create a discrete distribution of charges that can further aggravate the situation.

Did You Know?

[!NOTE] Lightning is 3 times hotter than the outer surface of the Sun, which is known as the Corona. This incredible temperature is the reason why whenever lightning strikes a tree, the tree gets burned up into charcoal instantly!

Calculating Your Distance From Lightning

According to the National Weather Service, approximately 100 lightning bolts strike the Earth’s surface every single second around the globe.

You can perform a simple experiment to find your distance from a lightning strike using the principles of the speed of light and the speed of sound.

Procedure:

1. As you see lightning in the sky, START a stop-clock and carefully wait for the sound to arrive.
2. As you hear any sound of thunder, immediately pause the time and note the time gap as $n$ seconds.
3. Calculate the distance using the following formula:

$$\text{Distance (miles)} = \frac{n}{5}$$

Since $1 \text{ mile} = 1.6 \text{ km}$, you can also find the distance in kilometers:

$$\text{Distance (km)} = \left(\frac{n}{5}\right) \times 1.6$$

Here is a simple explanation via video on how to find your distance from lightning:

It’s not necessary that only the distance of lightning can be calculated using this formula. You can find the distance of anything that produces light and sound at the same time, such as fireworks.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. National Weather Service - Lightning Safety