Final answer:
The energy dissipated by a lightning bolt moving 20.0 C of charge through a potential difference of 1.00 × 10² MV is 2.00 × 10¹ joules. This energy could boil a significant mass of water, and the expansion of the boiling steam would likely cause severe damage to a tree.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a lightning bolt strikes and moves 20.0 C of charge through a potential difference of 1.00 × 10² MV, the following can be determined:
(a) Energy Dissipation
The energy dissipated in the lightning strike can be calculated using the formula E = QV, where E is the energy, Q is the charge, and V is the potential difference. Plugging in the values, the energy E = 20.0 C × 1.00 × 10¸ V, which equals 2.00 × 10¹ joules.
(b) Mass of Water Boiled
To determine the mass of water that could be raised from 15°C to the boiling point and then boiled using this energy, we need to calculate the amount of energy required to heat and vaporize the water. This involves the use of specific heat capacity and the latent heat of vaporization.
(c) Damage to the Tree
The damage to the tree caused by the expansion of boiling steam can be catastrophic. The rapid expansion of water turning into steam can split the tree trunk, as the volume of water increases dramatically when it changes from a liquid to a gas. This can lead to the tree being severely damaged or even killed.