1. Lightning The Shocking Truth of How it Works

2. The Strike – it starts in the cloud  The strike begins in the cloud itself.  Clouds contain both hail stones and frozen water droplets (ice crystals)  When the hailstones collide with the ice crystals, they gain electrons.  The lighter (positively charged) ice crystals rise towards the top of the cloud while the negatively charged hailstones sink towards the bottom.

3. The Strike…It’s all about attraction  The negatively charged bottom edge of the cloud attracts positive charges on the surface of the Earth.

4. The Strike…It’s all about attraction  The electric charge on the bottom of the cloud builds until it overcomes the insulating properties of the air.  Air separates into positive and negative ions – this is called Ionization.  The ionized air (also called a plasma) allows for the movement of electrons.

5. The Strike…Leading the Way  Once the air has been ionized, several possible paths are created for electrons.  Each of these paths are called Leaders or Step Leaders. *Air does not ionize equally in all directions – that’s why lightning looks so jagged.  As the leaders make their way to the Earth, the positive charges in the ground reach up to meet the them (these are called Positive Streamers)

6. The Strike…Kaboom  So when the leader meets the positive charges from the ground…  This is NOT the lightning strike.  The leader provides the pathway for the electrons that transfer from the cloud to the ground.  So when the transfer of electrons from the cloud to the ground occurs…KABOOM!

7. In Motion…

8. What we actually see and hear  The Flash -This is created by the sudden discharge of electrons  *The Heat - Lightning is basically a HUGE electrical current and electrical currents generate heat. Did You Know? The average temperature of a lightning bolt is between 40,000 to 50,000 o F. The surface of the Sun is only approximately 10,000 o F. The air around a bolt of lightning heats up and expands so rapidly – it explodes. Thunder is a result of the shock wave created by the exploding air.

9. Here comes the Thunder  Thunder is the sound of the exploding air.  The exploding air also sends out a shockwave that can be felt by observers at a close distance. (This is when thunder rattles objects nearby).  Because light travels faster than sound, we see the flash before we hear the thunder (that is unless you are VERY close)

10. Steps to a Lightning Strike (Six Steps)  Step 1 – Positive and negative charges separate (polarize) within the cloud.  Step 2 – Negative charges accumulate along the bottom of the cloud. Positive charges accumulate on the ground.  Step 3 – Charges grow  Step 4 – Air between cloud and ground ionizes (separates into positive and negative ions.) Allows electrons to flow.  Step 5 – Electrons from the cloud connect with positive charges from the ground and create a ‘pathway’ for electrical charge.  Step 6 – Electrons are discharged from the cloud to the ground. The discharge results in the flash and crack of lightning.

11. Kinds of Lightning Strikes  Cloud to Ground – already discussed  Ground to Cloud (Upward Lightning) – initiated by very tall, often metallic objects.  Cloud to Cloud – Lightning that travels from one segment of a thundercloud to another.