The sky is filled with electric charge.
In a calm sky, the + and - charges are mixed up.
Inside a thunderstorm, the + and - charges are separated into two
sections. All of the + charges are at the top of the thunderstorm
cloud. All of the - charges are at the bottom of the thunderstorm
cloud.
During a thunderstorm, the ground has a + charge. + and - charges
are attracted to each other. The - charge at the bottom of the
thunderstorm cloud wants to meet the + charge of the ground.
The - charge of the cloud starts to rush toward the + charge at the
ground. At the same time, the + charge rushes toward the - charge. It
happens so fast that all we can see is a line of light. This is called
lightning.
Back to Thunder
and Lightning
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