Why Do We Have Lightning

Lightning begins with a process that s less mysterious.

Why do we have lightning. This lightning bolt of energy that is let out is called a leader stroke. When the opposite charges build up enough this insulating capacity of the air breaks down and there is a rapid discharge of electricity that we know as lightning. Lightning is an electrical discharge caused by imbalances between storm clouds and the ground or within the clouds themselves. In the early stages of development air acts as an insulator between the positive and negative charges in the cloud and between the cloud and the ground.

Evaporation is the process by which a liquid absorbs heat and changes to a vapor. It can go from the cloud to the ground. When the ground is hot it heats the air above it. The energy goes through the air.

This warm air rises. Most lightning occurs within the clouds. A good example is a puddle of water after a rainfall. Nitrogen the dominant gas in the atmosphere is excited by this strong flow of energy its electrons moving to higher energy states.

When air continues to rise the cloud gets bigger and bigger. To fully understand how the water cycle works we must first understand the principles of evaporation and condensation. Lightning is an electric current. It goes to a place that has the opposite charge.