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Lightning is a natural phenomenon formed by electrostatic discharges through the atmosphere between two electrically charged regions, either both in the atmosphere or one in the atmosphere and one on the ground, temporarily neutralizing these in a near-instantaneous release of an average of between 200 megajoules and 7 gigajoules of energy, depending on the type.
Typically, lightning discharges 30,000 amperes, at up to 100 million volts, and emits light, radio waves, x-rays and even gamma rays. [1] Plasma temperatures in lightning can approach 28,000 kelvins. Atmospheric electricity describes the electrical charges in the Earth's atmosphere (or that of another planet).
A lightning strike or lightning bolt is a lightning event in which the electric discharge takes place between the atmosphere and the ground. Most originate in a cumulonimbus cloud and terminate on the ground, called cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning.
"Lightning increases the atmosphere's ability to cleanse itself," the researchers wrote in the study. Many are familiar with the potentially deadly hazards posed by lightning, which is blamed for ...
This is extremely important, as Earth’s early atmosphere would’ve been made up of nonreactive N 2 molecules. Lightning was the essential piece needed to create the ingredients essential for ...
The lightning may be too far away to discern individual flashes. Smooth channel lightning is an informal term referring to a type of cloud-to-ground lightning strike that has no visible branching and appears like a line with smooth curves as opposed to the jagged appearance of most lightning channels. They are a form of positive lightning ...
There are about 40,000 thunderstorms per day, generating roughly 100 lightning strikes per second, [1] which can be thought to charge the earth like a battery. Thunderstorms generate an electrical potential difference between the earth's surface and the ionosphere, mainly by means of lightning returning current to ground. Because of this, the ...
A key factor in the ignition of these wildfires is the type of lightning, with long-continuing-current (LCC) lightning being particularly significant. The risk of lightning-ignited wildfires is influenced not only by the occurrence of LCC lightning but also by the availability of dry fuel, which is influenced by how much rain has fallen before.