Have you ever been caught in a thunderstorm and witnessed the awe-inspiring power of lightning? This natural phenomenon has captivated scientists and laypeople alike for centuries. While we may not fully understand every aspect of it, the science behind lightning is fascinating. Join us as we unravel the forces at work behind one of nature’s most electrifying displays: lightning!
What is Lightning?
Lightning is one of nature’s most electrifying phenomena. It is also one of the most mysterious. Unlike other forms of energy like heat or electricity, we still don’t fully understand what causes lightning. However, thanks to centuries of research, we’ve gradually been piecing together the complicated science behind it.
There are basically two types of lightning: direct and indirect. Direct lightning happens when a spark from the ground travels upward and meets an air column. This instantly creates an electric field that powers the bolt (and can even kill you if you’re in the way!). Indirect lightning happens when a cloud charges up and then emits a short-lived spark that hits something else, like a tree or building.
The process of lighting up is actually quite complicated. First, thunderclouds need to form. These clouds can come from different sources like seething masses of gas or even snowflakes that have fallen to earth. Once they form, raindrops start to fill them with water vapour and tiny droplets of hail (aka “supercooled water”). As these droplets fall through the atmosphere, they collide with other particles and molecules and eventually suspend in the air as tiny scale units called “dust devils.”
These dust devils are really interesting because they act sort of like mini-storms on their own! They can move around quickly due to their highly turbulent environment, which helps them collect debris and create condensation nuclei (aka “nuclei condensed from water vapour and tiny dust particles”). The increased humidity in the air then helps to cause these nuclei to ignite and start providing light.
The Components of Lightning
First, let’s take a look at what lightning is made up of an electric current flowing through a plasma (a gas or vapourised substance). The current creates a magnetic field around it that causes the electrons in the plasma to become excited and emit light (in the form of Electromagnetic radiation [EMR]).
The type of EMR emitted depends on the temperature and charge state of the atoms in the plasma. Low-energy photons are typically associated with cooler temperatures and higher charges, while high-energy photons are released when atoms reach their highest energy state.
Now that we’ve covered what lightning is made up of, let’s explore how these components interact to create this incredibly powerful phenomenon. When an electric current flows through a plasma, it creates a swirling motion called vortices. This turbulence causes particles in the plasma to collide more frequently which results in the emission of EMR. The strength and directionality of these emissions depend on several factors like the speed and size of the electric current, as well as the shape and size of the vortices.
The Worst Effects of Lightning
Lightning can cause a wide range of negative consequences. Here are five of the worst:
Electrical Shock Injury
When lightning hits a person or animal, it creates an electrical shock. This shock can be deadly if it causes a heart attack or stroke. In fact, injuries from lightning are responsible for more deaths than any other natural disaster.
Damage to Property and Infrastructure
Lightning also damages property and infrastructure. It can spark fires in buildings, damage cars, and power lines, and even knock out satellites! These kinds of disasters cost millions of dollars annually in damages alone.
Disruption of Communications and Transportation
Lightning also disrupts communications and transportation systems. It can knock out power to hospitals, airports, and factories, making them inaccessible for days or even weeks at a time. This disruption costs businesses billions of dollars every year.
Damage to Plants and Wildlife
In addition to damaging humans, lightning also destroys plants and wildlife. It can kill trees, spark wildfires, and even start forest fires! This destruction costs taxpayers millions of dollars each year in lost revenue from damaged crops and destroyed forests.
Death
Last but not least, lightning is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people every year. It’s the number one cause of death from natural disasters, and it’s a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
Lightning is one of the most awe-inspiring and mysterious aspects of nature, and scientists continue to unravel the mysteries behind this natural phenomenon. From understanding how lightning forms and moves through the atmosphere to learning more about its electroconductive properties, scientists are constantly learning more about what makes this powerful force so amazing.