Electric discharges {lightning}| can go between clouds or between clouds and ground. Strength can be 10^8 volts. Lightning strikes 44,000 times a day and makes 200 forest fires a day. Lightning can be streaks or sheets. Rare lightning form is hot ionized gas {ball lightning}. Lightning makes nitrous oxide, which fertilizes soil.
process
As warm air rushes up and raindrops fall, they rub each other and separate charges, making voltage. If charge path is between cloud and ground or another cloud, first a thin current streak {leader, lightning} flows, followed by main discharge at more than 1000 amperes for 10^-2 seconds.
Physical Sciences>Earth Science>Atmosphere>Lightning
5-Earth Science-Atmosphere-Lightning
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Date Modified: 2022.0224