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Like normal lightning, it is the visual discharge when the potential difference is large. This would better be explain graphically with pictures but I'll do my best to explain. During a lightning storm, lightning is continually firing looking for a suitable conductor to touchdown with. Since all things have there own, albeit weak, electromegnetic fields, just about anything is a candidate for a strike. Little electric "feelers" extend from items like trees, grass, poles, etc up towards the sky. Since opposites attract, and if the difference is strong enough, you will see lightning shoot from the sky as it finds one of the millions of "feelers" eminating from earthly items. This can appear to come from the ground, which technically a little part does. The "feeler" lights up as it contacts the lightning, thus you see ground-to-air/air-to-ground lightning.

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What is it when lightning strikes within one cloud?

It's called in-cloud or cloud-to-cloud lightning.


What is it called when lighting strikes within one cloud?

When lightning strikes within one cloud, it is called intra-cloud lightning. This type of lightning occurs when the electric charge within a cloud becomes unbalanced and discharges within the same cloud, rather than traveling to the ground or to another cloud.


What 3 ways can lightning occur?

Lightning can occur when positively and negatively charged particles within a cloud separate, creating an electrical imbalance that is discharged as a bolt of lightning. It can also occur between different clouds or between a cloud and the ground when the charge buildup is released. Additionally, lightning can occur during volcanic eruptions when ash particles in the plume become charged and generate lightning.


When lightning strikes within one cloud it is called .?

It's called in-cloud or cloud-to-cloud lightning.


When lightning strikes within one cloud it is called what?

It's called in-cloud or cloud-to-cloud lightning.


What is cloud to cloud lightning called?

Cloud-to-cloud lightning is commonly referred to as intracloud lightning because it occurs entirely within the same cloud without reaching the ground.


Why many lightning strikes occur within a cloud rather than between clouds and the ground.?

Many lightning strikes occur within a cloud due to the presence of strong electric fields created by the separation of positive and negative charges within the cloud. This charge separation leads to the buildup of energy that discharges as lightning when the potential difference becomes large enough. The dense concentration of water droplets and ice particles in clouds facilitates this process, allowing for frequent intra-cloud discharges compared to the less common inter-cloud or cloud-to-ground strikes. Additionally, the short distances involved within the cloud make it easier for the discharge to occur.


When lightning strikes within one cloud it is called lightning?

It's called in-cloud or cloud-to-cloud lightning.


Is there lightning above clouds?

Yes, lightning can occur above clouds. A type of lightning called "cloud-to-cloud" or "anvil crawler" lightning can be seen branching out above storm clouds. This is typically caused by the electrical discharge between different regions within the cloud or between different clouds.


How can you have thunderstorms without lightning?

Thunderstorms typically include lightning as a result of electrical discharge between clouds or between a cloud and the ground. However, in some cases, thunderstorms can occur without visible lightning due to certain weather conditions, such as the absence of sufficient charge separation or the lightning occurring within the cloud itself, known as "intra-cloud" lightning.


Does lightning only occur from cloud to ground?

Double ZapperYes. In fact, visible lightning usually comes up from the ground into the cloud! The lightning bolt is actually retracing a path of weak electricity that the cloud sent down as a sort of "feeler" sensing for the shortest path to take to the ground. So if you're in an open space during a lightning storm, and you feel your hair stand up from static electricity, you might want to run for cover!


How many different types of lighting strikes are there?

There are three main types of lightning strikes: cloud-to-ground strikes, intra-cloud strikes, and cloud-to-cloud strikes. Cloud-to-ground strikes are the most common and well-known type, where lightning extends from the cloud to the ground. Intra-cloud strikes occur within the cloud itself, and cloud-to-cloud strikes happen between different clouds.