Question

The potential difference between a certain thundercloud and the ground is 7MVolts. Find the energy dissipated when a charge of 50 Coul is transferred from the clouds to the ground in a lightning stroke

Answer 1

Given:

$V=7*10^6\:\rm V$

$q=50\:\rm C$

The dissipated energy is given by

$$W=qV=50*7*10^6=3.5*10^8\:\rm J$$