Question

During a lightning storm, clouds develop voltage differences of approximately 10^810 8  V. If an electric field of strength 3\times10^63×10 6  V/m is required to produce lightning, estimate the length of the lightning bolt, in meters.

Answer 1

Answer:

33.3 m

Explanation:

The relationship between voltage difference and electric field is given by:

$E=\frac{\Delta V}{d}$

where

E is the electric field strength

$\Delta V$ is the potential difference

d is the distance between the two points considered

For the lightning, we have:

$\Delta V= 10^8 V\\E= 3\cdot 10^6 V/m$

Substituting into the formula, we find the length of the lightning bolt:

$d=\frac{\Delta V}{E}=\frac{10^8}{3\cdot 10^6}=33.3 m$