Question

Lightning occurs when there is a flow of electric charge (principally electrons) between the ground and a thundercloud. The maximum rate of charge flow in a lightning bolt is about 20,000 C/s this lasts for 100 μs or less.1. How much charge flows between the ground and the cloud in this time? (Q= ? C)2. How many electrons flow during this time? (n_e = ?)

Answer 1

a

The charge is
`Q =  2.0*10^8 \  C`

b

The number of electrons
`N  =  1.25 *10^(27) \  electrons`

Step-by-step explanation:

From the question we are told that

The maximum rate of charge flow is
`(dq)/(dt) = I =  20000 \  C/s`

Here I means current

The time interval is
`t=100 \mu s  = 100*10^(-6)`

Generally the amount of charge is mathematically represented as

`Q =  (I)/(t)`

=>
`Q =  (20000)/( 100*10^(-6))`

=>
`Q =  2.0*10^8 \  C`

The number of electrons that flow during that time is evaluated as

`N  =  (Q)/(e)`

Here e is the charge on a single electron with value
`e=  1.60*10^(-19) \  C`

So

`N  =  (2.0*10^8)/( 1.60*10^(-19))`

`N  =  1.25 *10^(27) \  electrons`