Lightning strikes upward, not downward—here's why
In short: A lightning strike begins with ice particles colliding in a storm, building electrical charge. A faint channel forms toward the ground, then a bright return stroke races upward. This video explains the full chain of events, from charge separation to the thunder that follows.
A lightning strike starts with ice particles colliding in a thunderstorm, creating a separation of electrical charge. This charge builds until a faint, branching channel forms from the cloud toward the ground. When the connection is made, the bright return stroke travels upward at incredible speed, creating the flash we see. This upward movement is due to the way the charge is distributed and the path of least resistance. The strike can flicker multiple times as the current stabilizes, and the intense heat generated—up to 30,000°C—superheats the surrounding air, creating the thunder that follows. The video breaks down each step of this process, showing how a split-second event is actually a complex sequence of physical phenomena.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: What Happens Inside a Lightning Strike? Electical Storms Explained.
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