Lightning
10 Electrifying Facts about
By iastoppers.com
1. Meaning
Lightning is an
electrical spark
that occurs when insulating capacity of air in clouds or between clouds and the ground breaks down
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2. Path of Lightning
Lightning always finds the fastest route to Earth, through least resistance finding charges it is most attracted to
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3. Fierce Heat
A lightning bolt is 5 times hotter than the sun, at temperatures of 30,000K, while sun's surface temperature is 6000K
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4. Duration of a Lightning Strike
An average lightning strike lasts only 30 microseconds!
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5. Frequency of Strikes
Lightning strikes 8.6 million times a day
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6. Lightning Hotspot
Warm air from the Caribbean meets cold air from the mountains, creating the perfect conditions at Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela
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7. Ignition Source
It can ignite forest fires as a potent force amid changing climates, leading to increased thunderstorms and wildfires
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8. Snow & Volcano effect
Volcanic eruptions release electrically charged particles, fostering lightning, while thundersnow occurs during snowfall instead of rain
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9. Electrifying Benefits
Lightning, as an electrostatic discharge contributes to nitrogen cycle by splitting molecules and nitrates formation in soil
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10. Survival rates
Almost 90% of people survive lightning strikes despite the incredible voltage!
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