Concept explainers
A Lightning Strike
Storm clouds build up large negative charges, as described in the chapter. The charges dwell in charge centers, regions of concentrated charge. Suppose a cloud has –25 C in a 1.0|dash|km|dash|diameter spherical charge center located 10 km above the ground, as sketched in Figure P21.86. The negative charge center attracts a similar amount of positive charge that is spread on the ground below the cloud.
Figure P21.86
The charge center and the ground function as a charged capacitor, with a potential difference of approximately 4 × 108 V. The large electric field between these two "electrodes" may ionize the air, leading to a
If 12.5 C of charge is transferred from the cloud to the ground in a lightning strike, what fraction of the stored energy is dissipated?
A. 12%
B. 25%
C. 50%
D. 75%
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