When it comes to weather phenomena, few things are more fascinating than thunder and lightning. Lightning bolts, in particular, are awe-inspiring and can leave an indelible impression on the human mind. Yet, despite its ubiquity, there are still many things that most people don’t know about lightning. Here are five crucial things that everyone should know about lightning information.
1. Lightning is More than Just a Thunderstorm Byproduct
We often think of lightning as nothing more than the flashy accompaniment to thunderstorms, but in reality, lightning is just one component of a larger atmospheric electrical system. The Earth’s surface is negatively charged, and the upper atmosphere, around 50km from the ground, is positively charged. Thunder and lightning occur when the potential difference between these two charges is high enough to generate a discharge of electric current in the air.
2. Lightning Can Travel from Far Away
It’s a misconception that lightning has to hit something directly to cause damage. While that can and does happen, it’s also true that lightning can strike from a distance. In fact, the average lightning bolt can travel up to five miles horizontally and close to 15 miles vertically from its point of origin. As such, lightning can pose a real threat, even if the storm isn’t directly overhead.
3. Lightning Strikes Can Have Varied Effects
While it’s generally understood that being hit by lightning is bad news, few people realize the myriad ways in which a strike can affect the human body. Depending on the voltage of the bolt, lightning strikes can cause everything from temporary blindness to permanent nerve damage. Strikes can also spark fires, cause skin burns, blow out eardrums, and even alter the way a person’s hair looks.
4. Thunder is the Sound of Lightning
Most people learn this in elementary school, but again, it’s a fact that bears repeating. Thunder is, in essence, the sound of lightning. When the electric discharge of a bolt heats the air around it rapidly, the air expands explosively, creating a shockwave that we hear as thunder. As such, the distance between the lightning bolt and the observer affects the duration and intensity of the thunderclap.
5. Lightning is Hard to Predict
Finally, despite all of our technological advancements, predicting when and where lightning will strike remains a challenge. While we can observe storm clouds and detect lightning strikes remotely to some extent, it’s still mostly impossible to anticipate exactly when a bolt will hit the ground. As such, it’s crucial to be safe whenever lightning is in the area.
In conclusion, lightning is a fascinating natural phenomenon that remains hard to understand and predict fully. By keeping these five essential facts in mind, however, anyone can learn to appreciate the power and intricacy of lightning information.
