Lightning

About

Lightning occurs when friction between ice particles within large clouds, (cumulonimbus) builds up a charge of electricity which is trapped. This is because there is a gap between the cloud & an other body, i.e. the ground or another cloud.

 Eventually this charge becomes so great that it can jump across this gap. This is when Lightning occurs, the sound of thunder is a result of this electrical discharge. Because the electrical discharge is so great, it can be detected over long distances, by a lightning detector & then plotted onto a map by computer.

 Cloud to ground lighting can be a negative or positive charge. Positive lightning usually comes from the top of the cloud and can develop six to ten times the amount of charge and voltage of a negative bolt,