Curiosities: Lightning as a plasma phenomenon
Inside a thundercloud, collisions between ice particles separate electric charges, creating a strong electric field between the cloud base and the ground
Lightning is a natural example of plasma forming in Earth’s atmosphere through rapid electrical breakdown. Inside a thundercloud, collisions between ice particles separate electric charges, creating a strong electric field between the cloud base and the ground.
When this field becomes intense enough, it ionises the surrounding air, stripping electrons from atoms and turning the air into a conductive plasma.
Ionised air becomes conductive, creating a narrow plasma path called a “stepped leader” that moves downward in jumps. As it approaches the Earth’s surface, an upward positive streamer rises to meet it.
Once they connect, a powerful current surges through the plasma channel, producing the bright flash we recognise as lightning.