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The cloud starts of with a lot of protons and electrons. Soon enough, the electrons start to get pulled down in the cloud because of the protons on Earth. Also, it is electrons and not protons that get pulled down because protons are harder to move because they are in the center of the nuclei in an atom. In other words, the protons on Earth cause charge separation in clouds because opposites attract, and the protons on the ground pull the electrons down.

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What causes the charge separation in clouds?

The charge separation in clouds is caused by the collision of water droplets and ice particles within the cloud. During these collisions, positively charged particles (often ice crystals) tend to accumulate at the top of the cloud, while negatively charged particles (usually water droplets) accumulate at the bottom, creating an electric field between them.


How is lightning produced in the clouds if there is water in them?

Lightning is the discharge of static electricity. Items on the ground, including the ground itself, has one charge while the clouds in the sky, even the sky itself has the opposite charge. When one has more charge than the other, it discharges causing lightning.


Where do charges build up to make lightning possible?

Charges build up in clouds due to the separation of positive and negative charges within the cloud. When the charge separation becomes strong enough, lightning occurs as a discharge of electricity between the cloud and the ground or between different parts of the cloud.


Does lightning occur in all thunderstorms?

No, not all thunderstorms produce lightning. Lightning occurs when there is a separation of charge within the clouds and between the clouds and the ground. Thunderstorms that don't have the necessary conditions for charge separation may not produce lightning.


Which unstable atmospheric conditions lead to the formation of lightning and thunder in?

Unstable atmospheric conditions with rapidly rising warm air and cold air aloft can lead to the formation of lightning and thunderstorms. As the warm air rises and cools, it can create electrical charge separation in the clouds, resulting in lightning strikes and the accompanying thunder.

Related Questions

What causes the charge separation in clouds?

The charge separation in clouds is caused by the collision of water droplets and ice particles within the cloud. During these collisions, positively charged particles (often ice crystals) tend to accumulate at the top of the cloud, while negatively charged particles (usually water droplets) accumulate at the bottom, creating an electric field between them.


What is static electricity in the clouds?

Static electricity in clouds is the build-up of electric charge due to the separation of positive and negative charges within the cloud. This separation is usually caused by collisions between ice crystals and water droplets. When the charge difference becomes large enough, it can lead to lightning discharge between the cloud and the ground or between clouds.


Does the clouds charged by friction?

No, clouds do not become charged by friction. Instead, clouds become charged through a separation of positive and negative charges within the cloud, leading to the buildup of static electricity. This separation occurs due to processes like ice crystals or water droplets colliding and exchanging charge.


How is lightning produced in the clouds if there is water in them?

Lightning is the discharge of static electricity. Items on the ground, including the ground itself, has one charge while the clouds in the sky, even the sky itself has the opposite charge. When one has more charge than the other, it discharges causing lightning.


Where do charges build up to make lightning possible?

Charges build up in clouds due to the separation of positive and negative charges within the cloud. When the charge separation becomes strong enough, lightning occurs as a discharge of electricity between the cloud and the ground or between different parts of the cloud.


What geometric arrangement of charge clouds is expected for an atom that has four charge clouds?

A tetrahedral arrangement of charge clouds is expected for an atom with four charge clouds. This arrangement is formed by placing the charge clouds at the corners of a tetrahedron, providing the most stable arrangement that maximizes the distance between them.


How do clouds acquire huge electric charges?

Clouds acquire huge electric charges through a process called "charge separation." This occurs when ice particles in the cloud collide with each other, causing positive and negative charges to separate. The separation results in a buildup of electric potential that can lead to lightning strikes.


What causes the electric current that result in lightning?

Lightning is caused by a buildup of electrical charge in clouds. When the charge difference between the clouds and the ground becomes large enough, a lightning bolt is discharged to balance the charge. This sudden flow of electricity forms the lightning seen in the sky.


Does lightning occur in all thunderstorms?

No, not all thunderstorms produce lightning. Lightning occurs when there is a separation of charge within the clouds and between the clouds and the ground. Thunderstorms that don't have the necessary conditions for charge separation may not produce lightning.


Is the pressure of the clouds being compressed and heated which cause the lightning?

Lightning is caused by the build-up of electrical charge within clouds. When there is a separation of positive and negative charges within the cloud or between the cloud and the ground, a discharge of electricity occurs as a lightning strike. This discharge can happen due to various atmospheric conditions and processes, but the compression and heating of clouds is not the direct cause of lightning.


What is the difference between current electricity and charge separation?

Current electricity refers to the flow of electric charge through a conductor, while charge separation refers to the accumulation of excess positive or negative charges in an object. In current electricity, the charges are already in motion, whereas in charge separation, the charges are stationary but separated within the object. Charge separation can lead to the generation of current electricity when the charges are allowed to flow.


Lightning is electricity. How is charge conserved when lightning strikes?

Because there is a difference in the charge states of the earth and the clouds, resulting from the static electricity built up by water molecules moving about in the thundercloud. When this difference in charge states is equalized, there is usually a visible arc, which we call lightning.