Lightning is an electric current. To make this electric current, first you need a cloud.

When the ground is hot, it heats the air above it. This warm air rises. As the air rises, water vapour cools and forms a cloud. When air continues to rise, the cloud gets bigger and bigger. In the tops of the clouds, temperature is below freezing and the water vapour turns into ice.

Now, the cloud becomes a thundercloud. Lots of small bits of ice bump into each other as they move around. All these collisions cause a build up of electrical charge.

Eventually, the whole cloud fills up with electrical charges. Lighter, positively charged particles form at the top of the cloud. Heavier, negatively charged particles sink to the bottom of the cloud.

When the positive and negative charges grow large enough, a giant spark - lightning - occurs between the two charges within the cloud. This is like a static electricity sparks you see, but much bigger.

Did you know_lightning

Most lightning happens inside a cloud, but sometimes it happens between the cloud and the ground.

A build up of positive charge builds up on the ground beneath the cloud, attracted to the negative charge in the bottom of the cloud. The ground's positive charge concentrates around anything that sticks up - trees, lightning conductors, even people! The positive charge from the ground connects with the negative charge from the clouds and a spark of lightning strikes.

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Lightning is a spectacular natural phenomenon that occurs during thunderstorms. It is a powerful discharge of electricity that can be seen as a bright flash of light in the sky. The process of lightning is complex and involves several steps. Let's explore this fascinating phenomenon in detail:

Formation of Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm is a necessary condition for the occurrence of lightning. It begins with the formation of cumulonimbus clouds, which are towering and dense storm clouds. These clouds are formed when warm, moist air rises rapidly into the cooler upper atmosphere.

Separation of Charges
Within a thundercloud, strong updrafts and downdrafts cause collisions between ice particles and water droplets. This process leads to the separation of charges, with positive charges accumulating at the top of the cloud and negative charges at the bottom. The separation of charges creates an electric field within the cloud.

Formation of Step Leaders
As the electric field within the cloud intensifies, it can induce a corresponding opposite charge on the ground below. This induced charge creates an upward streamer, known as a step leader, that extends from the ground towards the cloud. The step leader is not visible to the naked eye.

Connection and Return Stroke
When the step leader approaches the cloud, it creates a pathway of ionized air molecules. This pathway provides a low-resistance channel for the discharge of electricity. Once the step leader connects with the channel, a powerful flow of electrons travels back towards the ground. This flow is called the return stroke and is the visible component of lightning.

Lightning Bolt and Thunder
The return stroke rapidly heats the air along its path, causing it to expand rapidly. This expansion creates a shockwave that we perceive as thunder. The intense flow of electrons in the return stroke also produces a bright flash of light, which we see as lightning.

Multiple Strokes and Forked Lightning
In some cases, multiple return strokes can occur along the same ionized pathway, resulting in a series of lightning flashes. This is why we often see lightning as a flickering or branching bolt. The precise path of lightning is influenced by factors such as the distribution of charges within the cloud and the presence of nearby objects.

Conclusion
In conclusion, lightning is a captivating natural phenomenon that occurs during thunderstorms. It is a result of the separation of charges within a thundercloud and the subsequent discharge of electricity between the cloud and the ground. Understanding the process of lightning helps us appreciate the raw power and beauty of this awe-inspiring display in the sky.