Question

8. A simplified thundercloud and associated charge distribution is portrayed in the adjacent illustration. The resulting electric field between the cloud base and the induced charge on the earth’s surface results in an approximately uniform electric field between the cloud and ground for commonly observed flat based electrified clouds.

a) Assuming a cloud base height of 3 km above the earth’s surface in the above diagram, calculate the associated potential difference (voltage) including sign of the cloud base relative to the earth (ground) assuming a uniform electric field of 5 kV/m.

b) Calculate the theoretical air dielectric breakdown voltage magnitude from the cloud-base 3 km above the ground assuming an air breakdown strength of 2 MV/m.

c) Hazardous cloud-to-ground lightning discharges can occur for electric field magnitudes as low as 3 kV/m, whereas air breakdown strength is on the order to 2 MV/m. . In your own words, address this discrepancy.

Answer 1

About lightning discharge

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