Lightning PNG

Lightning

For lightning to occur, the electric charge must be at a level that can break the air resistance. During a thunderstorm, collisions of rain, ice, or snow particles within storm clouds increase the imbalance between the storm clouds and the ground. It often negatively charges the lower parts of storm clouds. Positively charged pieces of precipitation rise to the top of the storm.

Negatively charged ice particles and hailstones descend into the storm's lower reaches. Although air is not conductive, negative charges attracted to the positively charged ground form a conductive channel in the air. Lightning occurs and is visible when a cloud cluster is charged with an excessive amount of or - electrical charge.