Question

Explain how lightning occurs between two clouds during a storm.

Answer 1

During a storm, air currents with small water droplets move upwards, while those with big water droplets move downwards. These vigorous movements cause the separation of charges due to friction. The positively charged light droplets get collected near the upper edges of the clouds, while the negatively charged big water droplets get accumulated near the lower edges. There is also accumulation of positive charges near the ground because of induction. When the magnitude of the accumulated charges becomes very large, the air between the two clouds (with unlike charges), which is an insulator, no longer resists these clouds. As a result, the negative and positive charges meet, producing streaks of bright light and sound due to electric discharge. This process is called lightning.