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Electricity is the transfer of electrons between molecules; for example, a battery sends these tiny particles from its negative end to its positive end. If an electrical current does not have a sufficient "load," or job to perform, along its path then it short-circuits and makes a popping noise accompanied by intense heat (which was the electrical energy that went unused and had to be disposed of somehow). The earth and its atmosphere are essentially a gigantic battery; when a path is formed in the air which can carry a current, the battery shorts and we call the resulting flash lightning.
To answer the original question, however, it typically starts in a cloud, but 5-10% of lightning strikes start in the ground. It should also be noted that the above explanation is somewhat oversimplified. For more details, see the related links.
No, lightning can not start from the ground, it forms inbetween or in a cloud and starts coming down when its closer to the ground there is a charge that causes it to also start coming up from the ground to meet the first part, the part coming up from the ground comes much slower though. If there is a flicker that is just the upward stroke repeating the process.
What else can I help you with?
What is it called when lightning strikes the ground?
Static discharge is causes the spark that is seen when electricity in a thunderhead discharges. The most common name for this type of spark or discharge is lightening.
Can lightning strike from the ground up?
Yes, lightning can strike from the ground up. This phenomenon, known as a "ground-to-cloud" lightning strike, occurs when an upward lightning discharge is triggered by a tall object such as a building or a lightning rod.
What is The percentage of lightning bolts that hit the ground?
79.25..discovery channel said that 35 million out of every 44 million hit ground so that's what it works out to be.
Why aren't passengers usually injured when lightning hits a plane?
The lightning has no path to ground.
Does lightning travel from the ground to the air or from the air to the ground?
Lightning typically travels from the clouds to the ground. It is formed when negative charges accumulate in the bottom of the cloud and positive charges build up on the ground, creating an electrical discharge.
Does lightning start from the ground or from the clouds?
Lightning typically starts from the clouds and travels towards the ground.
Does lightning start from the ground and go up or start from the clouds and go down?
There are three types of lightening, There is Ground-to-cloud, Cloud-to-ground and cloud-to-cloud.
You were told from a earth science teacher that lightning starts from the ground is this true?
There are many types of lightning STREAMERS that start a lightning strike. There are 3 basic places where streamers will originate from. They can come from a cloud to the ground or the ground to a cloud or from cloud to cloud. So your teacher was correct. But not always from the ground.
What causes a muck fire?
lightning can start a muck fire if there is a natural resource in the ground where it strikes
How did Benjamin Franklin save lives with his lightning rode?
The lightning rods redirected the electricity into the ground. That way it didn't hit the house and start a fire.
What is it called when lightning strikes the ground?
Static discharge is causes the spark that is seen when electricity in a thunderhead discharges. The most common name for this type of spark or discharge is lightening.
Does lightning travel from the ground up?
Yes, lightning typically travels from the ground up.
Does lightning come up from the ground during a thunderstorm?
No, lightning does not come up from the ground during a thunderstorm. Lightning typically originates from the clouds and strikes downward towards the ground.
Does lightning strike from the ground up or from the sky down?
Lightning typically strikes from the sky down to the ground.
How does lightning strike from the ground up?
Lightning can appear to strike from the ground up due to a phenomenon called a "positive lightning strike." This occurs when a positive charge builds up on the ground, attracting the negatively charged lightning bolt. The bolt then appears to travel upward from the ground to the cloud.
Why is lighting strike so close to the ground here?
because (fork lightning in particular) lightning starts on the ground!
Does lightning always strike the ground?
No, lightning does not always strike the ground. Lightning can also strike other objects such as trees, buildings, or even other clouds.
