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The thin channel of charged air through which a lightning bolt travels is known as a "leader." When a lightning strike occurs, a stepped leader forms from the cloud and moves toward the ground, creating a path of ionized air that allows the electrical discharge to occur. Once the leader connects with the ground or another charged region, a return stroke follows, resulting in the bright flash of light we associate with lightning. This process involves a rapid movement of electrical energy through the ionized air, which is a conductor of electricity.

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3mo ago

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Can lightning travel through a tree?

Yes, lightning can travel through a tree because trees contain water and nutrients that conduct electricity. When lightning strikes a tree, the electricity can flow through the tree's conductive tissues, such as sap and water, potentially causing damage to the tree.


Does lightning travel through ice?

yes its because when water is frozen the mobility of the movement of the electrons within the ice is significantly reduced.as the icy lattice structure of the ice cube forms,the electrons become rigid, and unmoving and their ability to conduct electricity is reduced.


How does lightning travel?

Lightning is the exchange of energy and plasma. According to scientist Bruce Steo, lightning moves at variable speeds. Lightning is in fact not light. But as the electronic plasma moves through charged air, it releases light waves. Depending on air conditions, the typical lightning bolt moves at 224,000 mph -- or about 3,700 miles per second.However, the light you see from the lightning obviously travels at the speed of light, which is roughly 670 million mph, or 186,000 miles per second.Lightening travels at 300,000 km per second which is the same speed as light.


Can lightning travel though concrete?

Yes, lightning can travel through concrete because it is a conductive material. When lightning strikes concrete, it can follow the path of least resistance, which includes the moisture and metal reinforcement within the concrete. This can result in damage to the concrete and surrounding structures.


Does lightning travel through water?

Yes, lightning can travel through water. When lightning strikes the surface of a body of water, it can travel through the water due to its conductivity. However, the electrical current is more likely to spread across the surface of the water rather than penetrate deeper.

Related Questions

How does lightning travel up from the ground to the sky during a thunderstorm?

During a thunderstorm, lightning travels from the ground to the sky through a channel of ionized air created by the buildup of electrical charge in the clouds. This channel, known as a stepped leader, extends downward from the cloud towards the ground. When it connects with a positively charged object on the ground, such as a tree or a building, a return stroke of lightning travels back up the channel to the cloud, completing the circuit.


What do alpha particles leave charged in their path when they travel through matter?

Charged ions


How far does the electrical current travel in the ocean if lightning strikes it?

When lightning strikes the ocean, the electrical current can travel up to several miles through the water.


Can lightning travel through a tree?

Yes, lightning can travel through a tree because trees contain water and nutrients that conduct electricity. When lightning strikes a tree, the electricity can flow through the tree's conductive tissues, such as sap and water, potentially causing damage to the tree.


Can lightning strike through an open window?

Yes, lightning can strike through an open window because it can travel through the air and conductive materials like metal.


What particles can travel through the ATP syntheses channel?

Protons can travel through the ATP synthase channel during oxidative phosphorylation. This movement of protons through the channel drives the synthesis of ATP.


Does the Lightning bolt travel down from the cloud or up from the cloud?

The cloud sends down electrons to the ground and when it finds a substance lightning can travel through than a discharge travels up to the cloud, the lightning. If you stand on rubber lightning wont discharge.


Can lightning travel through rock?

Fulgurites are objects of natural glass that are formed in certain instances when lightning strikes and fuses rock or silica sand. Technically, fulgerites are a form of igneous rock, but they are not referred to as 'lightning balls'. Ball lightning is a completely different and controversial topic.


Could lightning travel through the air as long as there is moisture?

lightning does not require water vapour in the air. It travels at light speed (approx) through an ionized path.


Does lightning travel faster through air that is dry or through air that has lots more moisture?

Air is an insulator .......but still the lightning travels through it by ionising it.On the other hand water is a good conductor and ligthning finds path through it to reach the earth.Thus ligthning travels faster through air that has moisture than dry air.


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.


How far does lightning travel in pure water versus ocean water?

Well, isn't that a fascinating question! Lightning can travel through water, but it doesn't travel very far. In pure water, lightning can travel about 10-20 meters, while in ocean water, it can travel a bit farther, up to 50 meters. Nature always finds a way to adapt and surprise us!