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. How much charge flows between the ground and the cloud in this time? How many electrons flow during this time?

Answer 1

$\frac{dq}{dt}=i=20000C/sec$

Charge

$q=it$

$q=20000\times100\times10^{-6}=2C$

Charge

$q=2C$

Number of electrons

$q=ne$

$n=\frac{q}{e}$

$n=\frac{2}{1.6\times10^{-19}}=1.25\times10^{19}$

Number of electrons (n)=$1.25\times10^{19}$