Lightning — what it is.

Q: What is lighting, Mariam, Lagos, Nigeria

A:  Lightning is an abrupt, brief, huge current of negative charge that zaps along a path of air molecules charged by the action of a thunderstorm. 

Lightning discharges an excess of positive and negative charge within clouds, between clouds, or between clouds and the ground. The drawing shows lightning striking between two clouds and also between clouds and the ground.  Drawing adapted from lightning article by Ron Hipschman.

During a thunderstorm, charges can build up on a cloud (+) and different polarity charges (-) on a nearby cloud or on the ground.  This creates charge differences, like that between the terminals of a car battery. 

 When the difference in voltage between the two regions gets too great, a surge of electricity moves to equalize the charges.  That surge of electricity is lightning. 

Further Reading

What causes lightning

Ball lightning:  I was wondering if Ball Lightning exists. What do you know about it? Where does it happen? When and why?

Where it hits:  Where in the world do the most lightning strikes occur?

Heat:  Lighting is supposed be three times hotter than the sun. Since the lighting flashes are closer than the sun how come we don’t feel the heat when it flashes?

Fish:   If lightning strikes the ocean, do the marine animals get hurt or killed?

How wide & long:  My kids were wondering how wide and long lighting can be.

Indoor pools:  Does lightning strike indoor swimming pools? Has anyone ever been hurt or killed?

(Answered June 5, 2009)