The limitless power of lightning is more than a great electrical show.
We all know the story of Benjamin Franklin and his discovery of lightning using a kite and a key. But how much do we really know about lightning? Statistically about one hundred people a year are killed by lightning in the United States. About 250 people every year survive after being hit by lightning. One out of ten of the people reportedly struck by lightning are hit in Florida due to the mix of heat and high humidity.
The electrical energy of heat is transferred when a lightning bolt flashes. The actual temperature of the sun is five times cooler than the temperature of a lightning bolt.
The strong heat causes the air to enlarge violently and then cool down. It is this rapid succession of particles in the air that make the noise that we call thunder. If you are far away from the source of the thunder, then you will hear a reverberating sound. If you are closer to the originating point, then you will hear a riveting splinter that sounds as though the heavens are dividing.
It always takes longer to hear the thunder than to see the lightning. The sound of
thunder travels slower than the speed of light. Thunder is operating at the speed of sound and lightning moves at the speed of light.
The most dangerous kind of lightning is the “cloud-to-ground” variety. The most common kind of lightning is called “intracloud lightning.” Intracloud lightning occurs inside the same cloud but involves opposite charges. Generally, the cloud will flash and then we hear the boom of thunder. “Intercloud lightning” therefore occurs when two different clouds have opposite charges and react by shooting a charge across the sky.
Lightning bolts can move at speeds of 60,000 miles a second. One lightning flash is more luminous than ten million one hundred-watt light bulbs. If we could somehow harvest all the power of a single lightning bolt we could generate the same amount of power as in all the electrical plants in the U.S. for one second or a single light bulb for about 30 days.
Lightning is a great lava flow of electricity running through the sky. If we could one day use this amazing natural resource to solve our own natural power problems here on earth then our energy abilities would be limitless.
I have always loved lightning storms! They are very powerful as well as beautiful, but they can be destructive as well as demonstrated by the lighning started fires in northern California! The smoke here is horrible!
#3 by Juliane Elliott, Jun 25, 2008
We had to evacuate our home for three days last October due to fires. Take care!
#4 by Glynis, Jun 25, 2008
We had a lightening storm that was rainbow coloured last year in Cyprus and we then had a snow storm! the most bizzare and amazing scene I have ever come across. I loved your pictures, great article.
#5 by So. CA. girl, Jun 25, 2008
I read about the nearly 8,000 lightning strikes that set more than 800 wildfires across Northern California in less than a day.
It is a rare example of "dry lightning" that brought little or no rain but plenty of strikes to a very dry area. The smoke has caused serious air-quality problems. Hope conditions improve for you soon.
#6 by Hein Marais, Jun 25, 2008
WOW. What a great article.
#7 by nobert soloria bermosa, Jun 25, 2008
interesting and educational article,it's a sad thing that scores of people are dying here in my country and in other parts of the world every year because of lightning strikes, thanks for the advice as well, it could help lessen casualties,
