Lightning

Contents

How lightning is formed?

Types of lightning
Lightning effects on objects
How to protect yourself?

Influence & Goal

The aim to
explore the
concept of
lightning, its
properties and
safety methods.
The unexplained
mysteries of lightning.

Myths, religion and so on

Zeus

Perknas

Ancient
Greece

Thor

Baltic

Norse
mythology

What now we know

Electrostatic discharge within two

electrically charged regions of the
cloud or between the cloud and

Lightning activity

The greatest concentration is in Central Africa,

South-East Asia, the Himalayas and South America.

Types of lightning

Intra-cloud lightning

The most frequent type of lightning.

It occurs between the lower and upper parts of
cloud.

Cloud-to-cloud lightning

Occurs between two clouds, from

negatively to positively charged regions.

Cloud-to-ground lightning

Negative lightning

Charge distribution
Small ice
crystals goes
up (updraft)
Larger ones
goes down
(downdraft).

Positive ions goes to the top of the

cloud while the basis becomes
negatively charged.

Polarization mechanism

N.1 electrical polarization of ice particles

while moving in atmospheres electric field.
N.2 Electrostatic induction due to colliding
ice particles.

Charging of the ground

Two opposite charges repel each other, so the

negative charge of the ground goes down.

Lightning formation
A channel of
ionized air (a
stepped leader)
travel from the
negative and
positive charged
regions in their
respective
directions, until
they connect.

The initiation of outward

leaders

Electric field is week by itself to initiate the process.

Relativistic electrons from cosmic rays are
accelerated. When they collide, the air is ionized.

Lightning formation
Electrons flow
from the top
to the ground
in little steps.
Its called a
return stroke.
Several strikes
follows.

Thunder
Excessive
pressure, caused
by extreme
temperatures of
the air, creates a
thunder.
Sound travels
different distances
to the observer.

Some numbers
30 kA
100 MV
2.7 billion
Watt-hours

Kaunas

Positive lightning
Originates at
the top of the
cloud and
strikes the
ground outside
of the cloud
shadow.
Blue from the
top

Positive lightning
Makes up
less than
5% of all
lightning
strikes.
10 times
more
powerful.

Lightning subtypes

Ball lightning

Staccato
lightning

Lightning subtypes

Dry lightning

Superbolts

Sprites
Noticed only
in 20th
century.
Luminous
plasma that
occurs in high
altitudes.
Very fast.
Not well
explored.

Red sprites

Red sprites

Blue jets

Effect on objects
Lightning
vaporizes the
fluid in objects.
Forms fulgurites
in sandy soil.
Oxidizes
nitrogen and
creates nitrates.

Effect on objects
Lightning emits
electromagneti
c impulses,
which induces
the current in
wires and burn
a device.

Effect on people
10 % dies.
People hit by
lighting suffer
injuries of
internal organs
and damage to
nervous system.

Effect on people
Current flows a
very short time.
Some energy is
radiated with
heat and light.
Most of the
electric current
flows around the
object (skin
effect).

Protection
Hide inside
the building
or car.
Avoid high
ground and
isolated
trees.

Protection
Isolate yourself
from the ground.
Dont lie on the
ground!

Power of nature
Lightning takes
nearly 500 lives
each year, and
leaves 5000 with
severe injuries.
The odds to be
struck by
lightning are
1/12000.

Human Lightning Rod

Got hit by lightning
7 times and lived.
Was named Human
Lightning Conductor
Recognized by
Guinness World
Records

Roy Cleveland Sullivan

1912-1983

Conclusion
Lightning is a sudden electrostatic
discharge within the oppositely charged
regions of the cloud or between the clouds
and ground.
Return stroke (a flash) occurs when two
stepped leaders connect and electrons start
flow from the cloud to earth step by step.
There are diversity of lightning types.
Lightning is a powerful natural phenomenon
and one, to be cautious of.

Thanks for listening