Question

Given that an electric field of 3×106V/m3×106V/m is required to produce an electrical spark within a volume of air, estimate the length of a thundercloud lightning bolt.

Answer 1

Answer:

Length, l = 33.4 m

Explanation:

Given that,

Electrical field, $E=3\times 10^6\ V/m$

Let the electrical potential is, $V=10^8\ V$

We need to find the length of a thundercloud lightning bolt. The relation between electric field and the electric potential is given by :

$V=E\times d\\\\d=\dfrac{V}{E}\\\\d=\dfrac{10^8}{3\times 10^6}\\\\d=33.4\ m$

So, the length of a thundercloud lightning bolt is 33.4 meters. Hence, this is the required solution.