Lightning and its Effects in Thunderstorms
Lightning and its Effects in Thunderstorms
There are many violent forces in nature: such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and volcanoes. Although, most weather-related occurrences can be seen in the magnificent thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are not just seen as one product of nature, because so many things can happen with a thunderstorm. One single thunderstorm can include tornadoes, high winds, hail, rain, and lightning. These are all products of just one thunderstorm. One of these products that a storm creates is lightning. Lightning is also listed as one of the most dangerous and deadliest natural occurrences. Lightning bolts can meet and exceed temperatures of thirty-thousand degrees Celsius, which exceeds the temperature of the surface of the sun by four or five times(Robinson 148). Even though lightning is so deadly, it can create beautiful forms and colors as it gives off the greatest light show on earth. Man, as of today, is still trying to learn about this awesome force we know as lightning. Lightning is a very powerful force of nature and it has many different aspects, such as how and why lightning bolts are formed, how lightning produces thunder, and also through the many forms and shapes that lightning bolts produce.
How exactly is a lightning bolt created? Meteorologists are still trying to figure out the exact answer to this question. The sequence of events that gives birth to lightning—whether the familiar flashes of a summer storm or the strange variations on that meteorological staple—remains somewhat of a mystery(Time 118). Inside a thundercloud warm air rises to the top very fast, and then cools down once it has reached the top. The air then begins to sink and it warms up again as it sinks, and then it rises again(Allaby 80). All of this air movement forms convective cells. The transfer of heat causes convective cells by the circulation or movement of the heated air. All of this motion in the cloud causes the top of the cloud to get a positive electric charge and the bottom of the cloud to get a negative electric charge(Allaby 80). Scientists are not sure how this happens, but it may be due to collisions between small ice particles as they move up and down inside the cloud building up a static electric charge(Allaby 80). Little ice crystals...