Do you know how lightning is formed?? Well here's why!
Jude Ignatius ASpecial Correspondant-------------------------------------How lightning is formed:
Lightning is a form of a visible electric discharge between rain clouds or between a rain cloud and the Earth. Most thunderclouds are negatively charged at the bottom of the clouds and positively charged on top of the cloud. It occurs when there is a huge voltage difference between clouds or between the earth and a cloud. There are numerous positively and negatively charged particles in the atmosphere. When there is strong wind, these particles accumulate to form strong charges. When there is a space between the charged bodies, there is an electric discharge between them. This phenomenon is called Lightning. Lightning heats the air around it to as much as 30,000 degree celcius ( 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun ). The heat causes the air to expand very fast ( In fact, it is faster than the speed of sound ). It is this, which causes the crash of thunder.
(Image Credit: ABC News)
