What is a lightning? The mystery of the lightning of the sky

Lightning is one of the most amazing and at the same time the most dangerous natural phenomena that human beings have ever experienced. This phenomenon, which occurs as a result of rapid electrical discharge between the clouds, is usually accompanied by the light of the sky and a frightening sound. However, behind this, there is a complex story of electrical forces that have a special place in nature but also in physics. If you want to know how thunderstorms are formed, this fascinating, yet attractive phenomenon, don’t miss out on.

Lightning is a natural phenomenon caused by rapid electrical discharge in the Earth’s atmosphere. This energy discharge is actually due to the imbalance of electrical energy between stormy clouds and the surface of the earth or even between the clouds themselves.

Lightning is one of the strangest phenomena of the earth that occurs in the atmosphere. If we want to talk a little more about this particular phenomenon, we should point out its features:

• Electric discharge in the atmosphere: Lightning is formed by the accumulation of electric loads in storm clouds, and when this potential difference reaches the threshold of discharge, there is a lot of electric current in the atmosphere.
• Massive energy transfer: This phenomenon produces a wide range of electromagnetic waves; From heat and visible light to radio waves and X -rays.
• Very high temperature: At the moment of discharge, the plasma canal temperature reaches about 0.5 ° C, which is several times the temperature of the sun. This heat causes the air to ionize and produce light.
• Disruption of electrical systems: Lightning is one of the most important causes of oscillation and failure in electrical transmission networks and electrical equipment. For this reason, in the electricity industry, systems are designed to minimize the effects of lightning.

Lightning occurs in various forms, each of which has certain characteristics and occurs in private conditions. The cloud lightning to the ground is the most common type that hit the surface of the Earth about 3 times per second. The following is a thorough explaining the types of lightning:

The cloud lightning to the ground occurs many times; However, its amazing power cannot be ignored. Each cloud lightning can have up to one billion volts of electric charge. This type of lightning is formed when a set of negative loads from the lower part of a storm cloud at a speed of about 5,000 kilometers per hour moves to Earth. When this electric current reaches a positive load of a positive load, such as a building, a tree or even a human being, a positive load of streamer moves from the ground to the ground. When these two currents come together, a severe electrical discharge occurs and negative loads are transmitted to the ground at extremely high speed. This energy transfer is the light we see in the sky when thundering.

Some lightning never reach the ground and only occur among the clouds. This type of lightning moves between parts that have different electrical loads (in one cloud or between two clouds) and brighten the sky.

In addition to previous lightning, there are other lightning that occur under certain circumstances:

• Lightning caused by fire and volcano eruption: When a massive fire in the forest occurs or an eruption of a fire, a large volume of smoke, ash and fine particles are thrown into the air. These particles collide strongly in the atmosphere and cause electrical loads.
• Lightning caused by snowstorms: Sometimes when snowfall, the rapid movement of ice and snow particles in the cold clouds causes electric charges. When the potential difference between these times increases, lightning is formed; But because the weather is very cold and its density is high, the sound waves from this type of lightning will be weaker than ordinary lightning. For this reason, you may see lightning light; But its voice doesn’t get to your ear.
• Spherical lightning: This type is one of the strangest and most unknown types of lightning that appears in a luminous and floating butter. The lightning moves on the unpredictable paths, so scientists have not yet been able to provide a precise explanation of this phenomenon.

A positive lightning is a positive lightning out of every 5 thunderstorms to the ground. Unlike ordinary lightning, these very dangerous lightning starts from the highest parts of the storm clouds, the positive load area. For this reason, the direction of the flow is reversed many times. Positive lightning is much more powerful than ordinary lightning, so they may hit the ground up to 5 kilometers away from the storm.

Lightning occurs more between clouds. The collision of rain, ice or snow particles together disrupts the balance of electrical load between the clouds and the formation of lightning.

In the process of lightning, the electric charge of the lower part of the clouds is usually negative and the electrical load of the earth and everything on it (such as trees and towers) is positive. This difference of electrical load causes an electric spark or discharge that we know as lightning. One of the amazing features of lightning is that it can travel a long distance and reach the clouds. In fact, a plasma canal is created in the atmosphere where the electric current passes through it and reaches the ground.

It may be interesting to know that lightning has a high temperature. This intense heat causes the air around where lightning is formed to expand and shake. This vibration produces a sound that is actually thunder. This sound is usually heard a few seconds after seeing lightning. The time difference of thunderstorms and lightning has two reasons; One, the sequence of events that occur during lightning and two, the speed of light is far greater than the speed of sound.

Lightning and thunderstorms are two natural phenomena that usually occur in the form of a process and are seen and heard together; However, these two phenomena have important differences.

Lightning is a visible electric discharge that occurs between clouds or between a cloud and land. This phenomenon appears in the sky as a bright light, and in a fraction of a second, the sky illuminates. In contrast, thunderstorms are the sound that is heard after lightning. This sound is caused by the rapid expansion and contraction of the air around the lightning path. When lightning occurs, the air around it rises to a very high temperature (even five times hotter than the sun surface). This heat causes the air to expand and produce a powerful audio wave.

In short, it can be said that lightning is a visual phenomenon and a thunderstorm that is heard after lightning.

Lightning may have a lot of life and financial damage because it has a lot of power. This phenomenon may have risks not only outdoor, but also in closed environments. One of the most important dangers of lightning is the following:

Lightning kills a lot of people every year and causes a lot of serious damage. For example, in the United States, between two and three people die each year as a lightning collision, and hundreds of others suffer from severe injuries. These injuries include burns, nerve injuries and heart problems.

Contrary to public notion, lightning has the ability to even penetrate the buildings. This usually occurs through metal plumbing and wiring of the power system; Therefore, it is best to avoid contact with water and use electrical appliances during thunderstorms to minimize the risk of electricity.

People working in open environments, such as farmers, construction workers and employees of power transmission lines, are more at risk of lightning than others; Therefore, these people must have the necessary training to protect themselves.

Lightning in different ways may deal with humans, but any case can cause life damage. So far, five lightning clashes with identified humans are:

Direct collision occurs in open spaces. In this case, the person is located directly in the path of lightning electrical drainage, resulting in part of the electric current passing through his body. This collision is one of the most deadly types of lightning. In this case, part of the current moves on the surface of the skin; But this stream will become more dangerous when it enters the body and passes through the nervous system or heart.

The lateral collision occurs when the lightning collides with a long object (such as a tree or a beam of power lights) and part of the flow is transferred to the person who has taken refuge near it. This type of collision often occurs when the person has taken refuge in the tree to avoid rain, snow or hail.

When lightning collides in an object such as a tree or building, a lot of energy is spread through the earth, which is called the earth. Anyone near the landlord’s location is affected by this process. The ground flow is the first fatal cause of lightning. The greater the distance between the point of flow into the body and the outflow point of the flow, the more severe the risk of injury.

Does not absorb lightning metal; But because it is a strong conductor, it crosses the electric current well. Many of the lightning injuries, both in indoor or outdoor environments, occur. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid contact with power wires, metal water pipes, bathrooms, wired phones, windows and metal doors.

The induction flow is much less occurred; But it is still an accident. The induction flow occurs when the lightning canal is approaching the earth. Usually only one of these currents is connected to lightning and will cause electrical discharge. However, sometimes several currents are discharged. If a person is on the path of one of these currents, they may have electricity or other injuries, even if the lightning is not treated directly.

Lightning is a device used to protect buildings and structures against lightning damage. It usually has a metal rod (usually copper) that is installed at the highest point of the building. This rod absorbs the lightning and directs its electric current to the ground.

In fact, what happens is that the electric current is directed to the ground through rods and cables attached to it, rather than conducting non -conductive components such as ceiling or walls and cause fire or other damage. In this case, the electric current pathway is met with the least resistance, resulting in high heat and electrical discharge damage.

Have you ever seen lightning? Did you know the reason for the formation of lightning and its dangers? Please share your views and visual experiences with us and other users.