Understanding What Lightning Is
Lightning is a sudden burst of electricity that forms inside storm clouds. It happens when electrical charges build up and discharge in a powerful flash.
How Lightning Forms
Inside a cloud, ice particles and water droplets collide. These collisions create electric charges. When the difference between charges becomes too strong, electricity jumps through the air as lightning.
Why Lightning Strikes the Ground
The ground often has an opposite charge compared to the cloud. Lightning follows the path of least resistance, which can lead it downward to trees, buildings, or open areas.
The Power of Lightning
A single lightning bolt is extremely hot and bright. It heats the air so quickly that the air expands, creating the sound we hear as thunder.
The Simple Takeaway
Lightning is an electrical discharge caused by charged particles in storm clouds. When the imbalance becomes too strong, electricity jumps through the air in a bright flash.