How lightning occurs in the desert
APR 12, 2010
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.024234
Various : Lightning is typically associated with rain clouds and thunderstorms, which leads to an unusual observation, why is there lightning in the middle of the desert? Or in plumes of volcanic ash?The answer may lie in a new theory by Thomas Pähtz , Hans J. Herrmann , and Troy Shinbrot , in Nature Physics.They suggest that particles transfer electrical charge vertically when the particles are smashed together, such that positive charges move downward and negative charges move up in the cloud.Although the theory explains how the particles develop charge, it doesn’t explain the origin of the external electrical field needed to kick off the charging process. Related links Why do particle clouds generate electric charges? Swirling dust shocks physicists NatureNews Colliding dust grains charge each other up ScienceNews
© 2010 American Institute of Physics
