187k views
5 votes
What role does lightning play in the nitrogen cycle?

User Sofie VL
by
6.5k points

1 Answer

2 votes
Atmospheric Fixation. The enormous energy of lightningbreaks nitrogen molecules and enables their atoms to combine with oxygen in the air forming huge nitrogen oxides. These dissolve in rain, forming nitrates, that are carried to the earth.
User Psyeugenic
by
5.9k points