Lightning

[Tony Allgood]

>lightning is STATIC electricity.

Static is just that. Static. In other words accumulation of positive and
negative charge without direct flow between them. The moment any flash
occurs it stops being static and becomes current. The last I heard, no
one can guarantee which direction lightning actually travels. In fact,
it appears that a small current path is established directly above the
ground before a path is established below the cloud which covers the
remaining distance.

But as for AC... the very large rate of change in the electric field due
to the strike generates very wide band AC in any conductor. I guess the
current generates a magnetic field too. Hence, the clicks, and spots you
hear and see on TV screens during strikes.

Regards,

Tony Allgood  Penrith, Cumbria, England

Modular synth circuits, TB303 clone and Filter Rack
www.techrepairs.freeserve.co.uk/projects.htm
My music: www.mp3.com/taklamakan