|
 Lightning
is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Lightning has
intrigued man from the start of time. Lightning
develops as a result of positively and negatively
charged particles in the atmosphere. The stroke of
lightning occurs when the potential between the
positive and negative particles becomes great enough
to overcome the resistance of the surrounding air
and forces a conductive path for current to flow
between the two charges.
With 1000 thunderstorms occurring on our planet
at any given time, did you know that…
- Lightning hits the earth 100 times per
second.
- The average lightning is 6 miles long.
- Voltage produced by lightning can vary
widely; some strokes can range into the billions
of volts
- Temperatures of an individual stroke of
lightning may reach up to 50,000ºF that is
hotter than the surface of the sun (around
11,000º)
- On average, lightning accounts for 93 deaths
annually; second only to flooding in weather
related deaths
Although it is difficult to calculate an accurate
value, it is estimated that millions of dollars are
spent each year repairing or replacing electronic
equipment damaged by transients generated by
lightning strikes.
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