The Mechanisms of Lightning

I. Introduction

Lighting is a great mystery to many. Many do not know the origin of lightning bolts nor their true strength. Lightning bolts are produced from opposite fields interacting. This can result in dangerous bolts that can have devastating results. The bolts have the capacity to injure many things, including appliances, people, forest, etc. However, although these bolts can have dangerous affects, there are prevention techniqies for lightening. These procedures can protect you, loved ones, and property. With lightning come many myths. These myths can endanger people by giving them completely wrong information. However, some myths are ancient and involve rituals of the gods. Lightning is complex in formation, protection, and myths. With lightning comes much danger, which still keeps scientists busy today studying the causes and effects of lightening.

II. What is Lightning?

Lightning is caused from the rising and lowering of air in a thunderstorm. The air movement separates the negative and positive particles. Water and ice are also known to affect the electrical charge distribution. Lightning is the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between negative and positively charged areas. Lightning usually is ignited in the clouds or between the clouds and ground and is a strong electrical power. The average flash of lightning turns on a 100- watt light bulb for over three months. Not only is the flash powerful, but also the air around the strike is hotter than the sun. The rapid heating and cooling of air caused by the strike results in a lightning channel shock wave known as thunder. Lighting occurs all over, the chance of being struck by lightning is 1 in 600,000. A lighting strike cannot only strike a person leaving them with an electrical shock or dead, but also can cause a fire. In the past 10 years over 15,00 fires have been started by lightning.

III. Subtypes of Lightning

There are two types of lightning discharges. These are the CC ( cloud to cloud) and CG (cloud to ground). These two discharges consist of different subtypes of lightning. These types of lightning are spider, bead, and ribbon. And rocket lightning. Spider lightning is a long lasting discharge, which usually exist along the cloud base. The discharge is believed to be so long that it seems to crawl along the base of clouds, which is why the nickname for this ligh...

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...receiving immediate attention. Another myth is that the early Greeks believe that lightning was the weapon of Zeus. Since lightning was the embodiment of the gods, any spot struck by lightning was regarded as sacred. The Moslems also linked lightning with gods, saying in the Koran that ? He it is who showeth you lightning and launches the thunderbolts.? Scandinavians myths allude to Thor, which is the thunder and for of all demons. Thor threw lightning bolts to his enemies. In the Hindu religion, the Maruts used thunderbolts as weapons. The Navajo Indians hold lightning in a pleasing light. They believe lightning has great healing powers; lighting is associated with wind, rain, and nourishing crops. The many different views of lightning within the different societies ancient and modern show the many emotions that lightning provokes; the emotions of fear and thankfulness.

VI. Conclusion

Lightning is an interesting form in the earth's atmosphere. People will always have their own beliefs and theories of how lightning forms and why it approaches land and people the way it does. However, there is much research that explains how lightening is formed and why it happens when it does.