# Linking Up (DD-302)

> Inside thunderstorms, collisions between ice crystals, graupel (soft hail) and supercooled droplets in strong updrafts separate electric charge. Typically the upper cloud becomes positively charged and the middle to lower region negatively charged. When the charge difference grows large enough, the air breaks down and a lightning discharge flashes within the cloud, between clouds, or to the ground. The channel heats the air to around 50,000 °F, and the sudden expansion makes thunder. The footage alternates storm clouds lit by lightning with a dish of metal balls in oil that line up into chains under high voltage, a demonstration of charges linking up, which I read as an exemplar, not lightning itself.

- Department: Science (also Nature)
- First published: 2024-08-17
- Last updated: 2024-08-17
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/linking-up/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-302-F01**: Ice and graupel collisions separate charge in storms. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Charge separation))_
- **DD-302-F02**: Thunder is air expanding from lightning's heat. _(Write-up · Exhibit E (Thunder))_

## Write-up

Storm clouds sort charge until the air gives way. Lightning heats the air so fast it expands with a bang: thunder.

1. **Charge separation**: Collisions of ice, graupel and droplets separate charge in storms.
2. **Positive on top**: The upper cloud is typically positive and the lower region negative.
3. **Breakdown**: When the charge difference is large enough, the air breaks down.
4. **Where it strikes**: Lightning can flash in a cloud, between clouds or to the ground.
5. **Thunder**: The heated air expands suddenly, making thunder.

## Related case files

- [Supercell (DD-612)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/supercell/): I paired it with the storms that make the most lightning
- [Static Spray (DD-051)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/static-spray/): I linked another use of electric charge

## Reel vs. record

- **Footage note**: the metal balls chaining in oil are a high-voltage demonstration, not lightning; I treated them as an exemplar.

## Video: Linking Up: Storm Clouds Sort Charge Until the Air Gives Way

- Duration: 27.8 s · Published: 2024-08-17
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C-ytpSkpSx4.mp4

### Transcript

DID YOU KNOW? Lightning forms through a complex process within storm clouds that involves creating a separation of electric charges. Positively charged particles accumulate at the top while negatively charged particles gather at the bottom. When the difference in charge between the cloud and the ground or within the cloud itself becomes too great the electric potential breaks down the insulating properties of the air. This causes a rapid discharge of electricity resulting in a lightning bolt. The intense heat from the lightning causes the air to expand rapidly producing the accompanying thunder! NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What separates charge in storm clouds?**  
A: Strong updrafts drive it. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Charge separation) · NOAA NSSL: Severe Weather 101: Lightning; Wikipedia: Lightning)_

**Q: Which part of the cloud is usually positive?**  
A: The lower region is negative. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Positive on top) · NOAA NSSL: Severe Weather 101: Lightning; National Weather Service: Lightning Science overview)_

**Q: What happens when the charge difference grows large?**  
A: A discharge flashes. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Breakdown) · National Weather Service: Lightning Science overview)_

**Q: Where can lightning flash?**  
A: Most flashes stay in the clouds. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Where it strikes) · NOAA NSSL: Severe Weather 101: Lightning)_

**Q: What makes thunder?**  
A: The expansion is sudden. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Thunder) · NOAA NSSL: Severe Weather 101: Lightning; National Weather Service: Lightning Science overview)_

## Sources

- [NOAA NSSL: Severe Weather 101: Lightning](https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/lightning/)
- [National Weather Service: Lightning Science overview](https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-science-overview)
- [Wikipedia: Lightning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Linking Up." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-302, last updated Aug 17, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/linking-up/