Real Time Lightning Strikes
Lightning is a giant spark of electricity in the atmosphere between clouds, the air, or the ground. In the early stages of development, air acts as an insulator between the positive and negative charges in the cloud and between the cloud and the ground. When the opposite charge builds up enough, this insulating capacity of the air breaks down and there is a rapid discharge of electricity that we know as lightning. The flash of lightning temporarily equalizes the charged regions in the atmosphere until the opposite charges build up again.
- Of what natural occurrences do we have a good understanding?
- Which natural occurrences are unpredictable?
- In what ways can we improve our understanding of the natural forces?
Exercise
Please click the Exercise link to continue and do Exercise 1.
Pre-Media
Use the following questions to begin a discussion. Try to be sure everyone in your group gives their opinion and explains why they hold that opinion before moving on to the next question.
- Why is it important to study lightning?
- What other meteorological phenomena should we study?
Exercise
Please click the Exercise link to continue and do Exercise 2.
Media
Exercise
Complete Exercise 3.
Post-Media
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