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

33.3 m

Step-by-step explanation:

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

`E=(\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=(\Delta V)/(E)=(10^8)/(3\cdot 10^6)=33.3 m`