Lightning

Seen those beautiful yet terrifying waves of light in the sky during a heavy rainfall? That sudden flash that lights up the sky and earth below is what we call lightning. It may seem just another natural phenomenon, but it holds one of the most important concepts of science. Here, we will be exploring this interesting phenomenon of nature and the science behind it. So let’s begin! 

1.0Lightning Definition

Lightning is a natural electrical discharge of short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud. It results from the accumulation of electrostatic charges in storm clouds during adverse weather conditions.

Simply put, lightning is a massive spark of electricity that happens in the air, primarily during a thunderstorm. This instant release can move from cloud to cloud, within a cloud, or from the cloud to the ground.

2.0Explanation of the Phenomenon of Lightning

To explain the phenomenon of lightning, we first need to understand what exactly happens during thunderstorms and how they manage to hold electrostatic forces. 

During thunderstorms, clouds are formed by the rapid upward flow of warm, moist air. Within these clouds, powerful winds circulate water droplets and ice particles very rapidly. These rapidly moving particles bump into each other and result in the separation of electrical charges.

• Positive charges build up at the top of the cloud.
• Negative charges build up at the bottom of the cloud.

This separation of charge causes an electric field between the ground and cloud, or among portions of the cloud. Once this electric field grows strong enough, it overpowers the resistance in the air and leads to an electric discharge—an event that appears as a burst of lightning.

At the same time, the sudden expansion of air due to the extreme heat from the lightning causes a sound wave, which is famously known as thunder.

3.0Forms of Lightning

The forms of lightning refer to the different types of lightning classified based on the location of electrical discharge, on the earth or within the cloud itself. This is further divided into several other common types, such as: 

1. Intra-cloud Lightning (IC): This is the most common type of lightning, occurring within a single cloud. Most commonly, this form of lightning appears as a bright lash of light up above the sky. 
2. Cloud-to-Cloud Lightning (CC): This form of lightning may seem like a streak moving across the sky as the lightning travels between two different clouds. 
3. Cloud-to-Ground Lightning (CG): Cloud-to-Ground Lightning (CG) is one of the most dangerous forms of lightning, as the electric charges travel from cloud to the surface of the Earth. This, when hit with high intensity, can seriously damage people, buildings, and trees. 
4. Ground-to-Cloud Lightning (GC): This is a very rare but not impossible form of lightning. In this, the lightning actually originates from the ground and follows the cloud upward, making a reverse shift of events. 

4.0Precautions During Lightning

Although lightning can beautifully light up the whole sky during a dark, rainy day, it can be dangerous for humans, plants, buildings and other animals. This is why it is important to take precautionary measures during a thunderstorm to stay safe. Here are some DO’s and DONT’s during lightning:

DO’s

• Stay inside your home or office during a thunderstorm. 
• If not indoors, immediately find shelter, and if possible, in a solid building or a car. Note that a car might be made up of electricity-conducting material, but it will not conduct electricity inside the car, as hollow things take up the charge on their surface. 
• Stay away from water surfaces like ponds, lakes, and even swimming pools. 
• If you don’t find any place for shelter, just crouch down low with your feet together. Try to minimize contact with the ground. 

DON’Ts

• Don’t stand under tall trees, poles, or the roof of a tall building, as lightning tends to hit the tallest objects in the area first. 
• Don’t use wired electronic items, such as computers, TVs, and landline phones, during a thunderstorm. 
• Do not touch any metal objects, like fences, poles, and metal bicycles, as metals are good conductors of electricity. 
• Avoid cleaning dishes or taking a bath during a thunderstorm, as these activities require water and water, as we know, is a good conductor of electricity. 

5.0Interesting Facts about Lightning

• Earth experiences around 40 to 44 lightning strikes worldwide per second! 
• A single lightning bolt strikes with an average intensity of 300 million volts. Which is why it is recommended to take up precautionary measures, as even a small interaction with electricity of this intensity can cause instant death. 
• During lightning, a flash of light is visible before the sound of thunder is heard later due to the difference in the speed of light and sound. 

Speed of sound ＜ Speed of light 

• Lightning storms are more common in tropical regions of the Earth due to the presence of high moisture and temperature.  
• April 29, 2020, recorded the longest stretch of lightning flashes of 768 km above Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.