Question

Lightning occurs when there is a flow of electrons between the ground and thethunder cloud. The maximum rate of flow (current) is about 20,000 C/s (amps), andit lasts for about 100 microseconds. How much charge flows between the groundand the cloud in this time? How many electrons flow during this time?

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Given

maximum rate of flow is  $\frac{\mathrm{d} i}{\mathrm{d} t}=20,000\ C/s$

Time of flow $t=100\ \mu s$

Charge flows during this process

$=\frac{\mathrm{d} i}{\mathrm{d} t}\times t$

$Q=20,000\times 100\times 10^{-6}$

$Q=2\ C$

(b)Total no of electron(n)

If charge on one electron is $q=1.6\times 10^{-19}$

$n=\frac{Q}{q}=\frac{2}{1.6\times 10^{-19}}=1.25\times 10^{19}$