Lightning
Lightning does not hit something every time it strikes. There are various forms of lightning. Lightning that is classified as "cloud to ground" lightning will strike something in it's path. Another form of lightning is sheet lightning. This type of lighting illuminates the sky and spreads from cloud to cloud.
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.
Not likely... Sheet lightning is 'cloud-to-cloud' discharges. The fact that the 'flash' is hidden within the cloud makes the whole cloud appear to light up.
The type of lightning that occurs within one cloud is called intracloud lightning (IC lightning). This phenomenon happens when electrical charges within the cloud become imbalanced, leading to a discharge of electricity that travels between different regions of the same cloud. Intracloud lightning is the most common type of lightning, often seen as bright flashes illuminating the cloud itself without striking the ground.
Lightning strikes from the sky when a channel of charged ions reaches down from the sky to connect with a channel of the opposite charge that is reaching up. This causes a flash of light called a step leader when electricity travels between the charges.
Lightning
Lightning
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.
It's called in-cloud or cloud-to-cloud lightning.
It's called in-cloud or cloud-to-cloud lightning.
Lightning
it does not have enough energy to reach the ground
It's called in-cloud or cloud-to-cloud lightning.
It's called in-cloud or cloud-to-cloud lightning.
Lightning does not hit something every time it strikes. There are various forms of lightning. Lightning that is classified as "cloud to ground" lightning will strike something in it's path. Another form of lightning is sheet lightning. This type of lighting illuminates the sky and spreads from cloud to cloud.
Cloud lighting
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.