Final answer:
The duration of a lightning bolt with a 20,000-A current that moved 30.0 C of charge is calculated to be 0.0015 seconds or 1.5 milliseconds by using the relationship between current, charge, and time.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the duration of a lightning bolt with a current of 20,000 A that moved 30.0 C of charge, we can use the relationship between current, charge, and time. The equation I = Q/t, where 'I' is the current in amperes (A), 'Q' is the charge in coulombs (C), and 't' is the time in seconds (s), can be rearranged to solve for 't'.
Step 1: Identify the known values. The current (I) = 20,000 A, and the charge (Q) = 30.0 C.
Step 2: Rearrange the formula to solve for time: t = Q/I.
Step 3: Substitute the known values into the equation: t = 30.0 C / 20,000 A.
Step 4: Calculate the time: t = 0.0015 seconds or 1.5 milliseconds.
The duration of this lightning bolt is therefore 1.5 milliseconds.