How Lightning Bolts Deliver Charge to the Ground

How does an especially violent lightning bolt deliver charge to the ground?

What is the average current and duration of the lightning bolt?

Answer:

An especially violent lightning bolt delivers charge to the ground by generating an average current of 1.15 × 10^3 A and lasting 0.149 s.

Lightning bolts are natural electrical discharges that occur during thunderstorms. When an especially violent lightning bolt strikes, it generates an average current of 1.15 × 10^3 A, which is a massive amount of electrical flow. This high current flows for a very short duration of 0.149 seconds. The combination of high current and short duration contributes to the delivery of charge to the ground.

During a lightning strike, the electrical charge in the clouds seeks the path of least resistance to the ground. When the lightning bolt makes contact with the ground, it releases this huge amount of charge, creating a visible, bright flash. The charge carried by the lightning bolt spreads out in a radial pattern along the ground, impacting its surrounding area.

This process demonstrates the powerful force of nature that lightning bolts possess. The delivery of charge to the ground during a lightning strike is a fascinating phenomenon that showcases the raw power of electricity in nature.