Lightning

Lightning

Lightning is like a giant electric shock in the sky. Scientifically speaking, it's a flash of light in the air, caused by a sudden discharge of electricity. This shock can travel up to several kilometres between clouds, or between a cloud and the Earth. The result of this explosive force is lightning and thunder.
Within a few millionths of a second, lightening heats the air around it up to 10,000 °C (18,000 °F). This is hot enough to start forest fires even in wet weather. When the shock hits the Earth and travels through the ground or water, it can kill people and other animals.
Every year, more than 100 people in North America die as a result of lightning. MORE! [AM] {GC} {WW}