LIGHTNING

Lightning is an electric current. Within a thundercloud way up in the sky, many small bits of ice (frozen raindrops) bump into each other as they move around in the air. All of those collisions create an electric charge. After a while, the whole cloud fills up with electrical charges. The positive charges or protons form at the top of the cloud and the negative charges or electrons form at the bottom of the cloud. Since opposites attract, that causes a positive charge to build up on the ground beneath the cloud. The grounds electrical charge concentrates around anything that sticks up, such as mountains, people, or single trees. The charge coming up from these points eventually connects with a charge reaching down from the clouds and - zap - lightning strikes!

HOW DO YOU PREDICT LIGHTNING?

• Predicting a lightning strike
• can be your hair standing
• up or a metallic taste
• in your mouth.

HOW TO PREPARE/TO DO FOR LIGHTNING

• If your outside go to a car or
• a grounded building. If your inside
• avoid bath/showers and washing dishes.
• Avoid using appliances that conduct
• electricity.

WHAT IS HAPPENING DURING LIGHTNING?

• The electricity is traveling through
• The cloud and ground.

WHATS THE EFFECTS AFTER A LIGHTNING STROM?

• Fires
• Trees split or down

THE END