LIGHTNING!
Did you know, that every second, an estimated amount of 100 bolts of lightning are striking Earth? That means, as you read this, bolts of crazy lightning are striking the planet. Lightning is very dangerous; it can start a forest fire, it can burn and take down buildings, and it is very harmful to us humans. Every year, lightning injuries approximately 300 people, and it kills around 70.
There is a tool called a lightning rod, invented by Ben Franklin, that is put on top of buildings to protect them.
Lightning is formed when frozen raindrops bump each other in clouds, creating electric charges. These charges are split into two groups: positive charges, otherwise known as protons, and negative charges, otherwise known as electrons. The protons form at the top of the cloud while the electrons form at the bottom. Since opposites attract, protons form on the ground. Also, the electrons form on what is standing. If a tree is standing, the electrons focus on that. Protons form on the tree then. The opposites reach each other, the connection being the lightning. BAM!
Lightning's temperature is estimated to 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit! According to weather wiz kids, that "is six times hotter than the surface of the sun!"
There is a tool called a lightning rod, invented by Ben Franklin, that is put on top of buildings to protect them.
Lightning is formed when frozen raindrops bump each other in clouds, creating electric charges. These charges are split into two groups: positive charges, otherwise known as protons, and negative charges, otherwise known as electrons. The protons form at the top of the cloud while the electrons form at the bottom. Since opposites attract, protons form on the ground. Also, the electrons form on what is standing. If a tree is standing, the electrons focus on that. Protons form on the tree then. The opposites reach each other, the connection being the lightning. BAM!
Lightning's temperature is estimated to 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit! According to weather wiz kids, that "is six times hotter than the surface of the sun!"
FORKED LIGHTNING
Forked lightning is named for the way it looks in the sky. It forms when weak charges are created. The charges go separate ways to find a stronger path. This creates the fork in the lightning.
Sources:
weatherwizkids.com
Lightning Strikes By: National Geographic Learning Pioneer addition
Lightning Strikes By: National Geographic Learning Pathfinder Addition
weatherwizkids.com
Lightning Strikes By: National Geographic Learning Pioneer addition
Lightning Strikes By: National Geographic Learning Pathfinder Addition