SEMINAR ON LIGHTNING PROCESS

1. “LIGHTNING: FROM INITIATION TO DISCHARGE”
SCHOOL OF EARTH, OCEAN AND CLIMATE SCIENCES

2. CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
 HOW DOES IT INITIATE ?
 METHODOLOGY
 TYPES OF LIGHTING
 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES

3. WHAT IS A LIGHTNING ?
 The discharge of the charged cloud to the ground is called Lightning Phenomena.During this
natural occurring process two electrically charged regions in the atmosphere or ground
temporarily equalize themselves.

4. METHODOLOGY
Water droplets
accumulate and become
electrically charged
Cloud becomes
negatively and
positively charged.
An electric field
forms causing
plasma to be
created.
Plasma conducts
electricity and
forms the easiest
path to the ground.
The charge from
the cloud is seen
as a lightning
bolt.

5. STEP 1
 In the process of the water cycle ,
moisture can accumulate in the
atmosphere. This accumulation is
what we see as a cloud.
 Water droplets get collides with
other moisture present in the
atmosphere that is the process of
condensing and formation of cloud
taken place.

6. STEP 2

7.  The cloud then becomes separated by charges.
 It becomes positively charged at the top of the
cloud and negatively charged at the bottom of
the cloud which resulting in the formation of
electric field line within the clouds.
STEP 3

8.  As we move top of the cloud temperature is low and when
moisture encounter it , it goes on freezing.
 Frozen portion of the cloud :- -Ve charged
 Unfrozen portion of the cloud :-+Ve charged
STEP 4

9. STEP 5
 Large electric field tends to flow some of
the electrons in the atmosphere.
 This lead to cause formation of positive
plasma ions.
 The entire process of lightning bolt occurs
in a matter of seconds.

10. TYPES OF LIGHTNING
 INTRA-CLOUD LIGHTNING
 CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING
 CLOUD TO CLOUD LIGHTNING
 BALL LIGHTNING

11. INTRA-CLOUD LIGHTNING
 Lightning in occur within or inside the cloud.

12. CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING
 Lightning that hits the earth from a cloud.

13. CLOUD TO CLOUD LIGHTNING
 Lightning that goes from one cloud two another cloud.

14. BALL LIGHTNING
 Lightning that comes in the shape in a
thunderstorm.

15. FACTORS AFFECTS LIGHTNING
 Ground elevation
 Latitude
 Prevailing wind currents
 Relative humidity

16. CONCLUSION
 Lightning happens when the negative charges (electrons) in the bottom of the cloud are attracted to the positive
charges (protons) in the ground.
 The accumulation of electric charges has to be great enough to overcome the insulating properties of air.
 A bolt of lightning heat the air along its path causing it to expand rapidly.
 An unstable atmosphere lead to cause movement of air rapidly which lead to initiate lightning process.