2. LIGHTNING What causes it to happen?

3. How is a charge created? Strong winds, Strong winds, Collision of water and ice droplets, and Collision of water and ice droplets, and Sudden changes in temperature….. Sudden changes in temperature….. All cause negative electrons to gather on the bottom part of a cloud while a positive charge remains on the top. All cause negative electrons to gather on the bottom part of a cloud while a positive charge remains on the top.

4. What happens on the ground? The negative electrons on the bottom of the cloud REPEL the negative electrons on the ground…leaving it POSITIVELY CHARGED. The negative electrons on the bottom of the cloud REPEL the negative electrons on the ground…leaving it POSITIVELY CHARGED.

5. How does it get from the cloud to the ground? The strong attraction between the “+” ground and “-”cloud pull apart the electrons in the air molecules.(Ionization) This creates a conductor path to the highest point on the ground.

6. Flash..Bang!! A gigantic discharge of electrons occurs between the cloud and the ground. A gigantic discharge of electrons occurs between the cloud and the ground.

7. What causes the flash? The flash is caused by so many electrons colliding with other molecules..light is given off. Heat is also given off..as much as 33000 degrees Celsius! This can cause instant fires.

8. What causes the thunder? The heat causes the air to expand rapidly and this sends a SHOCK WAVE that we hear as Thunder. The heat causes the air to expand rapidly and this sends a SHOCK WAVE that we hear as Thunder. Since light travels faster than sound..we see the flash, then hear the thunder. Since light travels faster than sound..we see the flash, then hear the thunder.

9. Types of Lightning Lightning can go from cloud to ground. Sheet lightning- goes from cloud to cloud Lightning can also go from ground to cloud.

10. Lightning Rods A positively charged metal rod can be placed on a high point. A positively charged metal rod can be placed on a high point. It is connected to a wire which is buried in the ground. It is connected to a wire which is buried in the ground. The rod acts as a conductor, attracting and carrying the charge from the cloud away from buildings and into the ground without harm. The rod acts as a conductor, attracting and carrying the charge from the cloud away from buildings and into the ground without harm.

11. Interesting Facts Thunder takes 3 seconds to travel 1KM. Thunder takes 3 seconds to travel 1KM. The total amount of energy released in one major thunderstorm is greater than a nuclear bomb! The total amount of energy released in one major thunderstorm is greater than a nuclear bomb! Lightning can strike the same place twice. Lightning can strike the same place twice.

12. Where is this???

13. http://science.howstuff works.com/nature/738 9-lightning-video.htm http://science.howstuff works.com/nature/738 9-lightning-video.htm http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=- KvqaIBOMGs http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=- KvqaIBOMGs (Toronto Lightening storm-August 2011)