Atmospheric Electric Charge

We have all seen thunderstorms with lightning and heard loud thunder. While lightning can be a spectacular sight, it is also very dangerous. It can strike tall objects like trees or buildings, causing severe damage, injuries, or even loss of life. To protect ourselves and structures, it is important to understand how lightning forms and how it strikes, as well as the safety measures that can prevent harm.

• When air and clouds rub against each other, charges build up inside the clouds.
• The top part of the cloud becomes positively charged, and the bottom part becomes negatively charged.
• When the negative charge at the bottom of the cloud becomes very large, it flows rapidly toward the ground, producing heat, light, and sound.

Lightning

Lightning is attracted to tall objects like trees or buildings.

• When a cloud passes over, an opposite charge forms on the top of the building or tree by induction.
• The cloud’s charge flows down towards the building or tree, creating a lightning strike.

A lightning conductor is a safety device that protects buildings from lightning.

• It is a long copper strip with one end placed at the highest part of the building.
• The other end of the strip is connected to a cast iron plate buried underground in a pit filled with coal and salt.
• When lightning occurs, the electric charge flows safely into the ground through the copper strip, preventing damage to the building.
• Pouring water into the pit helps the charge spread quickly into the ground.
• A building with a lightning conductor also protects the surrounding area from lightning.

Lightning conductor