General knowledege

Lighting and Thunder

When there is a Storm we often see dark fast moving cloud masses which make rumbling noise.  The noise is generated by the lighting when it arcs across the sky.  The electric static discharge in the atmosphere causes the lighting effect.  It is very dangerous to be outside when there is a lighting strike.

Lighting bolts are mostly drawn by objects like lamp posts which are tall and  are good conductors of electricity.  Often tall buildings are deployed with lightning arrests that help limit the effect of the lightning strikes. The cause of initial formation of lightning is still under debate.  Lightning can also occur during volcanic eruptions in the ash clouds.  Lighting aids in formation of nitric acid that is beneficial to plant life.

The study of lightning is called fulminology, and someone who studies lightning is called a fulminologist.