GCSE Physics (AQA)

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Thunder Clouds

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Electricity Static electricity

Thunder Clouds

2:13 Static Electricity and Electric Fields
Spec 4.2.5.1
Previous Sparks Next Electric Fields
  • Thunderclouds are large-scale examples of static charge and sparking.
  • Thunderstorms occur with high heat, high pressure, and water evaporation.
  • Warm air rises, cools, and condenses into water droplets.
  • Ice crystals in clouds rub together, building up static charge.
  • Ice crystals collide, forming smaller crystals and building electric charge.
  • The cloud's bottom becomes negatively charged as heavy negative crystals fall and lighter positive crystals rise.
  • A huge potential difference builds between the cloud and the earth due to the cloud's negative charge and the earth being uncharged.
  • The potential difference can reach 10^8 volts, much higher than household electricity at 230 volts.
  • The cloud discharges through a lightning bolt, which is a large-scale spark.
  • Lightning bolts carry charge from the cloud and discharge it through the earth.
  • Lightning strikes transfer large amounts of energy as light and sound.
  • Lightning heats the air quickly, creating a shockwave heard as thunder.
  • Thunder and lightning occur simultaneously, but lightning is seen first as light travels faster than sound.
  • Thunder and lightning are examples of large-scale static charge and sparking.
  • Detailed knowledge of charge formation is not required for exams.

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