Lightning

Lightning

Some Natural Phenomena are winds, storms and cyclones are destructive phenomena. In this chapter, we will discuss two destructive natural phenomena Lightning and Earthquakes.

• A Natural Phenomenon is anything that occurs on its own in nature without any kind of human intervention.
• For example, the weather of a place, fog, storms, winds, tides, volcanic eruptions and cyclones all can be categorized as natural phenomena.
• Some natural phenomena can be destructive such as cyclones, thunderstorms, lightning and earthquakes.
• However, there are some ways with which we can protect and prepare ourselves from these natural disasters.

Lightning

• Lightning is an electric discharge or an electric spark that occurs in nature on a major scale. It is caused by the accumulation of charges in the clouds.
• It can be deadly and cause the destruction of life and property.
• In ancient times people were unaware of the cause of lightning and hence they were scared of it. Nowadays, scientists have evolved some precautions that can help us prepare and protect ourselves from this natural phenomenon.

The sparks that Greeks knew about

• The Greeks were already aware of the electric charges from 600 BC. They knew that when Amber (a type of resin or synthetic polymer) and fur are rubbed together, then amber can attract light objects like hair.
• Similarly, woolen clothes or polyester clothes also attract hair and can produce a little spark or crackling sound when they are taken off from the body. This is because of electric charges.
• Benjamin Franklin was an American scientist who in 1752 discovered and proved that lightning and spark produced from these clothes are all same things.

What are electric charges?

• We know that every atom comprises subatomic particles such as electrons, protons and neutrons.
• All these particles share a common property in that they carry electric charges.
• Electrons have a negative charge on them while protons have a positive charge.
• We know that atoms carry a balanced charge however these charges may sometimes become out of order.
• An object will be called electrically neutral if it is carrying a balanced proportion of positive and negative charges.
• An object is called a charged object if there is an imbalance of electrons and protons in it.
• Lightning is an electric spark but on large scale.
• Lightning is caused by the accumulation of charges in the clouds.
• We need to take precautions to protect ourselves from the deadly spark.
• Most of the substances are electrically neutral states. According to the basics of atomic structure, an atom is made up of electrons, protons and neutrons.
• An electron has a negative charge, a proton has a positive charge and there is no charge on a neutron.