2023-07-19 09:56:46
Lightning, those flashes of light and sound that light up the sky during a storm, have captivated humanity for centuries.
The process that generates lightning begins with the formation of storm clouds. These clouds are composed of small particles of water and ice in constant movement, which generates a separation of electrical charges. Ice particles acquire a negative charge, while liquid water particles acquire a positive charge. This separation of charges creates a strong electric field inside the cloud.
As the electric field becomes stronger, a phenomenon known as ionization. The atoms and molecules in the cloud break apart, releasing electrons and creating a chain of charged particles called a downward leader. This downward leader seeks the path of least resistance to the ground.
Meanwhile, on the ground, an ascending leader is formed that originates from tall objects such as buildings or trees. This upward leader is also made up of charged particles and seeks to find the fastest path to the downward leader.
When the downleader and the upleader get close enough, an electrical connection is made between them. This contact creates a highly conductive plasma channel, often referred to as a “lightning channel.” Through this channel, a massive discharge of electrical current occurs in the form of lightning, which can reach temperatures of up to 30,000 degrees Celsius and speeds of up to 100,000 kilometers per second.
The lightning, by heating the air in its path, causes a rapid expansion and contraction of the air around it, generating pressure waves that propagate in the form of sound. This gives rise to what we know as thunder, the deafening noise that accompanies lightning. The speed of sound is less than the speed of light, so we perceive thunder a few seconds after seeing the lightning flash.
Despite scientific advances, there are still many aspects of lightning that we don’t fully understand. Scientists continue to study these electrical phenomena in the hope of unlocking their secrets and improving our ability to anticipate and protect ourselves from them. Through the use of sophisticated instruments and the analysis of data collected during thunderstorms, important advances have been made in understanding the mechanisms involved in the formation and propagation of lightning.
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