‭What is Electric Charge‬

‭Introduction‬
‭ELECTRIC CHARGE‬
‭About Chemical effect of electric current‬ ‭ lectric charge, also called "the Quantity of Electricity," is a fundamental component of everyday matter.‬
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‭ ersted was born to Søren Christian Oersted, an apothecary, and Karen Hermansen. He was born in the‬
O ‭Objects are made of molecules and atoms, atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and the‬
‭small town of Langeland, Denmark, August 14, 1777. While he was a young boy, Oersted's parents put him‬ ‭protons and electrons are made in part out of electric charge. Electric charge is substance-like. If you have a‬
‭and his younger brother in the care of a German wigmaker and his wife.‬ ‭quantity of charge, you cannot destroy it, you can only move it from place to place. A flow of electric charge‬
‭is called "electric current.‬
‭ ersted had studied Naturphilosophie under Schelling himself, and wholeheartedly adopted the view that‬
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‭nature is systematic and unified. (He also thought that the practice of science is a religion.) The fact that he‬ ‭Q = l.t‬
‭should be seeking a connection between electricity and magnetism was motivated entirely because of his‬
‭prior philosophical conviction that one must exist. After all, only someone looking to find a connection‬ ‭ rom the study of atomic structure we know that an atom consists of a central part called nucleus and‬
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‭between electricity and magnetism would consider placing a compass, only affected by magnetic fields, near‬ ‭around the nucleus (called extra-nucleus) there are a number of electrons revolving in different paths or‬
‭a current carrying wire, thought to be a purely electrical phenomenon, in the first place.‬ ‭orbits. The nucleus consist of protons and neutrons. A proton is a positively charged particle while a neutron‬
‭has no charge. Therefore, the nucleus of an atom bears a positive charge. An electron is a negatively‬
‭ ersted's experiment showed that there were underlying connections between what appeared to be quite‬
O ‭charged particle having magnitude of negative charge equal to the magnitude of positive charge on a proton.‬
‭different physical phenomena, and encouraged other scientists to seek them out. While universal‬ ‭Normally, the number of electrons is equal-to-the number of protons in an atom. Therefore, an atom is‬
‭convertibility is not the same as conservation, the two are nonetheless closely related. Thus, a connection or‬ ‭neutral as a whole, the negative charge on electrons cancelling the positive charge on protons. This leads to‬
‭conversion between different phenomena, especially two as outwardly dissimilar as electricity and‬ ‭the conclusion that under ordinary conditions, a body is neutral, i.e. it exhibits no charge. When a body has‬
‭magnetism, was step towards a unified concept of energy.‬ ‭deficiency or excess of electrons from the normal, it is said to be charged or electric field.‬

‭TYPES OF CHARGE :‬
‭Define electricity‬ ‭ here are two types of charges known as positive and negative charges. All objects normally contain equal‬
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I‭t is the branch of physics which deals with the study of interaction of one charge to the another charge. It‬ ‭amount of positive and negative charges and are therefore, electrically neutral.‬
‭can be divided into two parts:‬
I‭f an object has the same amount of positive and negative charge the NET CHARGE on the object is the‬
‭sum of the two kinds of charge and adds to zero, and we say the object is electrically neutral. So if an object‬
‭ ictionaries often define electricity as "a fundamental entity of nature consisting of negative and positive‬
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‭has a number of protons equal to the number of electrons its net charge is zero. (All atoms have a net‬
‭kinds." This is a scientist's definition of the word, where "quantity of electricity" means the same as "quantity‬
‭charge of zero, but ions can have a positive or negative charge depending on whether they have more‬
‭of charge." In other words, electric charge is a charge of electricity. Franklin, Faraday, Maxwell, Millikan,‬
‭protons or electrons.) Since the electrons are more mobile than the protons (which are buried in the nucleus‬
‭Thompson, Einstein, and many other historical scientists used the word "electricity" in this way.‬
‭of the atom) we transfer electrons to a neutral object to make it have a net negative charge. When we do‬
‭ lectricity is a form of energy. Electricity is the flow of electrons. All matter is made up of atoms, and an atom‬
E ‭that the neutral object from which we transferred the electrons becomes positively charged. Note that the‬
‭has a center, called a nucleus. The nucleus contains positively charged particles called protons and‬ ‭total electric charge of the two bodies together does not change. This is known as the conservation of‬
‭charge. We cannot create or destroy electric charge, we simply transfer charges (electrons) from one object‬
‭uncharged particles called neutrons. The nucleus of an atom is surrounded by negatively charged particles‬
‭to another to change the NET charge of objects.‬
‭called electrons. The negative charge of an electron is equal to the positive charge of a proton, and the‬
‭number of electrons in an atom is usually equal to the number of protons. When the balancing force‬ ‭ he ancient Greeks discovered that electric charge could be transferred between two objects by rubbing‬
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‭between protons and electrons is upset by an outside force, an atom may gain or lose an electron. When‬ ‭them together. In the diagram below, rubbing plastic and fur together results in electrons from the fur being‬
‭electrons are "lost" from an atom, the free movement of these electrons constitutes an electric current.‬ ‭rubbed off onto the plastic, leaving the fur positively charged and the plastic negatively charged. When glass‬
‭and silk are rubbed together which one has the electrons rubbed off?‬
‭Static electricity :‬
‭ he branch of physics which deals with the study of the electric charges at rest and their effects is known as‬
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‭electrostatics or static electricity.‬

‭Current electricity‬
‭ he branch of physics which deals with the study of the electric charges in motion and their effects is known‬
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‭as current electricity.‬
‭Plastic rubbed with fur becomes negatively charged, glass rubbed with silk becomes positively charged.‬ ‭UNIT OF CHARGE :‬
‭ he charge on an electron is so small that it is not convenient to select it as the unit of charge. In practice,‬
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‭ hen we comb dry hair, the comb gets charged and can pick small pieces of paper brought near it. When‬
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‭coulomb is used as the unit of charge, i.e. SI unit of charge is coulomb abbreviated as C. A coulomb (C) is‬
‭we rub a glass rod with silk cloth or a piece of ebonite rod with woolen material, the charge acquired by a‬
‭the standard unit of electric charge in the International System of Units (SI). It is the amount of electricity that‬
‭glass rod rubbed with silk is called a positive charge and that on ebonite rod, is called a negative charge.‬
‭a 1-ampere (A) current carries in one second (s). A quantity of 1 C is equal to the electrical charge of‬
‭ lthough the charges (on the electrons) are tightly bound to the atoms in an insulator they are free to move‬
A ‭approximately 6.24 x 10‬‭18‬ ‭electrons or protons.‬
‭slightly within the atom. This is called polarization. If a plastic comb is rubbed on fur (or your dry hair)‬
‭The charge on one electron in coulomb is given by: – e = –1.6 × 10‬‭-19‬ ‭C.‬
‭electrons will be rubbed off the hair onto the plastic comb. The plastic comb becomes charged negatively. If‬
‭the comb is brought close to a neutral insulator, like a piece of dry paper, it will repel the negatively charged‬ ‭FLOW OF CHARGE:‬
‭electrons in the atoms causing them to moving away slightly, leaving the protons without an electron closer‬
‭ onsider two metallic spheres A and B which are placed on the insulated stands as shown in the figure. Let‬
C
‭to the comb. Since opposite charges attract and the positive charges are closer to the comb than the‬
‭sphere A is positively charged and sphere B is negatively charged. Let these spheres are connected by a‬
‭negative charges, the piece of paper is attracted to the comb. This effect is used to remove soot and ashes‬
‭metallic wire. The electrons flow from sphere B (at lower potential) to the sphere A (at higher potential). The‬
‭from smoke going up industrial chimneys. The inventor became rich as a result of his patent.‬
‭flow of electrons continues till the potential of both the spheres becomes equal. This shows that the flow of‬
‭charge (i.e. electrons) between two points continues as long as they are at different potentials or as long as‬
‭there is potential difference between these two points.‬

‭(a) A charged comb attracts a piece of paper.‬

‭Earthing‬
‭ art (b) of the diagram shows the same result (attraction of the paper) even if we had a positively charged‬
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‭comb.‬
‭EARTHING‬
‭ e may find only two points or terminals in the plug point of our house.‬
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‭ lass rod and ebonite rod will attract each other while two glass rods as well as two ebonite rods will repel‬
G ‭But they may also have three points.‬
‭each other.‬
‭ he third point at the top is called the earth terminal and is connected to‬
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‭PROPERTIES OF CHARGE:‬ ‭a thick wire that goes into the ground. Thus earthing protects us from‬
‭(i) Like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other.‬ ‭electrical shocks. If there is any leakage of current in the appliance then‬
‭it will flow through the thick wire into the earth.‬
‭(ii) The charge is quantized i.e. charge on an object is equal to ± ne where n is an integer and‬

‭e = 1.6 × 10‬‭-19‬ ‭C.‬ ‭What is conductors and insulators‬

‭(iii) Electric charge is a scalar quantity.‬
‭CONDUCTORS:‬
‭Those substances which allow electricity to pass through them easily are called conductors.‬
‭(iv) The electric charge on a system is always conserved.‬
‭ .g. Most of the metals are conductors. Silver metal is the best conductor of electricity followed by copper,‬
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‭gold and aluminium. Electric wires are made of copper or aluminium because they have very low resistance‬
‭due to which there is minimum loss of electric energy during its transmission.‬
‭INSULATORS:‬
‭Those substances which do not allow electricity to pass through them are called insulator.‬

‭ x: Vacuum is the best insulator. In addition to it rubber, plastics, wood, mica, porcelain, etc. are insulators.‬
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‭Electricians wear rubber hand gloves while working with electricity. It is because rubber is an excellent‬
‭insulator and protects the electrician from electric shock.‬

‭SEMI-CONDUCTORS:‬
‭ hose substances whose conductivity lies in between the conductors and insulators are called‬
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‭semi-conductors.‬

‭e.g. Silicon, germanium are semi-conductors.‬

‭ hen a source of electricity like a cell or a battery is connected between the ends of the metal wire, then an‬
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‭Semi-conductors may become conductors by increasing its temperature.‬ ‭electric force acts on the electrons present in the wire. Since the electrons are negatively charged, they start‬
‭moving from negative end to the positive end of the wire. These electrons constitutes the electric current in‬
‭About ELECTRIC CURRENT‬ ‭the wire.‬
‭ he electric current is a flow of electric charges (called electrons) in a conductor (metal wire). It is the‬
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‭amount of electric charge passing through a given point of conductor in one second. If a charge of Q‬
‭coulombs flows through a conductor in time t sec, then the magnitude of the electric current I flows through it‬
‭is given by:‬

‭Q = l/t‬

‭The S.I. unit of charge is coulomb (C)‬

‭1 C = Charge of 6.25 × 10‬‭18‬ ‭electrons.‬

‭UNIT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT:‬

‭ he S.I. unit of current is Ampere. When 1 coulomb of charge flows through any cross-section of a‬
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‭conductor in 1 second, the electric current flowing through it is said to be 1 ampere.‬

‭I = V/R‬ ‭ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY‬

I‭nstrument used to measure current is called ammeter. It should have a very low resistance. It is connected‬ ‭ lectrical conductivity is a measure of the ability of a substance to carry electric current. Substances that are‬
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‭in series in the circuit.‬ ‭good conductors of electricity have high electrical conductivity as compared to substances that are poor‬
‭electrical conductors (also called insulators). Same liquids, but not all, are also good conductors of‬
‭DIRECTION OF ELECTRIC CURRENT:‬ ‭electricity.‬
‭ e know that there are two types of charges positive charges and negative charges, but electron were not‬
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‭discovered at that time. So, electric current was considered to be the flow of positive charges and the‬ ‭CONDUCTIVITY OF WATER:‬
‭direction of flow of the positive charges were taken to be the direction of electric current. The direction of‬ ‭ ure water is a poor conductor of electricity. But the water that we use in our houses is not pure water.‬
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‭electric current is from positive terminal of cell to the negative terminal through the circuit.‬ ‭Generally, water (tap water, pond water, well water, etc.) contains a lot of impurities, most of which are‬
‭usually dissolved salts. The presence of even a small amount of impurity makes water a good conductor of‬
‭FLOW OF ELECTRIC CURRENT IN A WIRE:‬ ‭electricity.‬
‭ n electric current is the flow of electrons in a metal wire (or conductor) when a cell or battery is applied‬
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‭across its ends. A metal wire has plenty of free electrons in it. When the metal wire has not been connected‬ ‭Touching an electrical appliance with wet hands could therefore, be dangerous.‬
‭to a source of electricity like a cell or a battery, then the electrons present in it move randomly in all the‬
‭directions between the atoms of the metal wire as shown in figure.‬
‭CONDUCTIVITY OF LIQUID:‬ (‭ B) Non-electrolyte : A solution of a chemical compound which does not conduct electric current and hence‬
‭does not undergo any chemical change is called non-electrolyte.‬
‭ o test whether a liquid allows electric current to pass through it or not, we can use the tester. When the‬
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‭liquid between the two ends of the tester allows the electric current to pass, the circuit of the tester becomes‬ ‭ .g. Petrol, kerosene oil, diesel oil, vegetable oil, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, alcohol, ether, benzene,‬
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‭complete. The current flows in the circuit and the bulb glows. When the liquid does not allow the electric‬ ‭distilled water etc.‬
‭current to pass, the circuit of the tester is not complete and the bulb does not glow.‬
(‭ C) Electrolysis : The process due to which a solution of a chemical compound conducts electric current and‬
I‭n some situations even though the liquid is conducting, the bulb may not glow. Due to the heating effect of‬ ‭at the same time undergoes a chemical change is called electrolysis.‬
‭current, the filament of the bulb gets heated to a high temperature and it starts glowing. However, if the‬
‭current through a circuit is too weak, the filament does not get heated sufficiently and it does not glow.‬ (‭ D) Electrodes : The metal wires/plates/rods through which the current enters or leaves an electrolyte are‬
‭Though a material may conduct electricity, it may not conduct it as easily as a metal. As a result, the circuit‬ ‭called electrodes.‬
‭of the tester may be complete and yet the current through it may be too weak to make the bulb glow.‬
‭(E) Cathode : The electrode connected to the negative terminal of a cell/battery is called cathode.‬
‭Most liquids that conduct electricity are solutions of acids, bases and salts.‬
‭(F) Anode : The electrode connected to the positive terminal of a cell/battery is called anode.‬
‭CHEMICAL EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT‬
(‭ G) Ions : The electrically charged atoms/group of atoms formed when a chemical compound is dissolved in‬
‭ hen an electric current is passed through water‬
W ‭water are called ions.‬
‭containing sulphuric acid, the water breaks up into its‬
‭components hydrogen and oxygen. Therefore an‬ (‭ H) Cations : The positively charged ions formed, when a chemical compound dissolves in water are called‬
‭electric current can cause a chemical change. This‬ ‭cations. During electrolysis, the cations are discharged at cathode by taking electric charges from it.‬
‭effect of electric current is used in electroplating i.e.‬
‭coating a thin layer of a metal on another metal.The‬ (‭ I) Anions : The negatively charged ions formed, when a chemical compound dissolves in water are called‬
‭metal which is to be electroplated is made cathode and‬ ‭anions, During electrolysis, the anions are discharged at anode by losing electric charges to it.‬
‭the metal to be deposited is made anode while the‬
(‭ J) Voltameter : An apparatus in which electrolysis is carried out, which consist of a vessel, two electrodes‬
‭soluble salt of the same metal serves as the‬
‭and electrolyte is called voltameter.‬
‭electrolyte. When a current is passed, a thin film of‬
‭metal is deposited on the metal, which becomes‬ ‭ELECTROPLATING :‬
‭electroplated.‬
‭ ne of the use of chemical effect of an electric current is electroplating. During electroplating the metal‬
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‭ .g. Let we are having a spoon which is to be‬
e ‭surface of a given particle is coated with a thin layer of superior metal with the help of electric current.‬
‭electroplated with silver. The spoon is made the cathode and the piece of silver is made the anode. AgNO3‬
‭ lectroplating is the application of a metal coating to a metallic or other conducting surface by an‬
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‭salt is used as electrolyte. When a current is passed through the electrolyte the atoms of silver gets‬
‭electrochemical process. The article to be plated (the‬
‭deposited on the spoon.‬
‭work) is made the cathode (negative electrode) of an‬
‭electrolysis cell through which a direct electric current‬
‭is passesd. The article is immersed in an aqueous‬
‭ ENERAL TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSAGE OF‬
G ‭solution (the bath) containing the required metal in an‬
‭CURRENT THROUGH SOLUTIONS:‬ ‭oxidised form, either as an aquated cation or as a‬
‭complex ion. The anode is usually a bar of the metal‬
(‭ A) Electrolyte : A solution of a chemical compound which‬
‭being plated. During electrolysis metal is deposited‬
‭conducts electric current and at the same time undergoes a‬
‭on to the work and metal from the bar dissolves:‬
‭chemical change is called electrolyte.‬
‭at cathode M‬
‭ .g. (i) Aqueous solutions of all acids, such as HCI, HNO3, H2SO4‬
e
‭etc.‬ ‭z+(aq) + ze- → M(s)‬
‭(ii) Aqueous solutions of all alkalis, such as NaOH, KOH etc.‬ ‭at anode‬
(‭ iii) Aqueous solutions of salts, such as common salt, copper‬ ‭M(s) → M(aq) + ze-‬
‭sulphate, sodium nitrate, zinc chloride, etc.‬
‭There are two main reasons for electroplating objects‬
‭‬ T
● ‭ o protect the metal underneath;‬
‭THUNDER AND LIGHTNING‬
‭●‬ T‭ o produce an attractive finish.‬
‭ELECTRIC CHARGE‬
‭ hromium plating is found on bath taps, car bumpers, bicycle handlebars, towel rails, etc. Chromium does‬
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‭ rom the study of atomic structure, we know that an atom consists of a central part called nucleus and‬
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‭not corrode. It can be polished to give a bright attractive appearance, and it is a hard metal which resists‬
‭around the nucleus (called extra-nucleus) there are a number of electrons revolving in different paths or‬
‭scratches and wear.‬
‭orbits. The nucleus consist of protons and neutrons. A proton is a positively charged particle while a neutron‬
‭Faraday's laws of electrolysis govern the amount of metal deposited.‬ ‭has no charge. Therefore, the nucleus of an atom bears a positive charge. An electron is a negatively‬
‭charged particle having magnitude of negative charge equal to the magnitude of positive charge on a proton.‬
‭ rticles are elecroplated to (i) alter their appearance; (ii) to provide a protective coating; (iii) to give the‬
A ‭Normally, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in an atom. Therefore, an atom is‬
‭article special surface properties; (iv) to give the article engineering or mechanical properties.‬ ‭neutral as a whole, the negative charge on electrons cancelling the positive charge on protons. This leads to‬
‭the conclusion that under ordinary conditions, a body is neutral, i.e. it exhibits no charge. When a body has‬
‭Let’s find: How is thin layer of copper metal deposited on the given object :‬ ‭deficiency or excess of electrons from the normal, it is said to be charged or electrified.‬

‭The saturated copper sulphate solution contains the following cations and anions.‬ ‭TYPES OF CHARGE:‬
‭ ations : The positively charged cations are copper ions (Cu‬‭2+‬‭) from copper sulphate and hydrogen ion‬‭(H‬‭+‭)‬ ‬
C ‭ here are two types of charges known as positive and negative charges. All objects normally contain equal‬
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‭from water.‬ ‭amount of positive and negative charges and are therefore, electrically neutral.‬

‭ nions: The negatively charged anions are hydroxyl ions (OH‬‭-‭)‬ from water and sulphate ions (SO‬‭42-‬‭) from‬
A ‭Eg. (i) When we comb dry hair, the comb gets charged and can pick small pieces of paper brought near it.‬
‭copper sulphate.‬
(‭ ii) When we rub a glass rod with silk cloth or a piece of ebonite rod with woolen material. The charge‬
‭ hen the electrical current is switched on, the cations start migrating towards the cathode and the anions‬
W ‭acquired by a glass rod rubbed with silk is called a positive charge and that on ebonite rod is called a‬
‭towards the anode.‬ ‭negative charge.‬

‭ t the cathode the positively charged copper ions gain negative electrical charges to form copper atoms‬
A ‭ lass rod and ebonite rod will attract each other while two glass rods as well as two ebonite rods will repel‬
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‭which deposit themselves on the surface of iron object. Thus, a thin layer of copper is deposited on iron‬ ‭each other.‬
‭objects.‬
‭Like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other.‬
‭ he hydrogen ion do not get discharge. At anode, none of the negatively charged anions (hydroxyl and‬
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‭CHARGED CLOUDS‬
‭sulphate ions) discharge. Instead, the copper atoms on the copper plate lose their charges to form copper‬
‭ions (Cu‬‭2+‬‭) which enter in the copper sulphate solution.‬ ‭ he clouds consists of electric charges in which the lower‬
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‭portion of clouds carry negative charges and the upper‬
‭Uses of electrolysis :‬ ‭portion carry positive charges. This huge amount of‬
‭●‬ E ‭ lectroplating is one of the uses of‬ ‭charges makes the insulation property of air gets‬
‭electrolysis. It is not only used for‬ ‭breakdown and the nearby air molecules get apart. Bythis,‬
‭depositing copper, but a number of‬ ‭the air molecules are charged and the air containing‬
‭superior metals. For example, the‬ ‭charged particles become a conductor of electricity. The‬
‭wheel covers of cars, the handles of‬ ‭ripping apart of the air molecules occur in steps. The‬
‭bicycles and motorcycles are coated‬ ‭successive layers of air are made conductive in zig-zag or‬
‭with nickel and chromium, so as to‬ ‭step like path.‬
‭give a bright shining appearance.‬
‭Step leader is the path of conductive air which extends‬
‭Similarly, silver and gold can be‬
f‭rom the thundercloud. Step leader form the conductive path in the air, from the cloud to the ground or to a‬
‭electoplated on copper and brass‬
‭neighbouring cloud. This step leader is not as bright as the flash of light.‬
‭object. Cheap imitation jewellery is‬
‭made by electroplating silver or gold on brass or aluminium jewellery.‬
‭●‬ ‭The process of eletrolysis is also used to obtain pure metals from impure metals.‬
‭●‬ ‭The process of electrolysis is also used in the extraction of aluminium metal from its ore.‬
‭LIGHTNING‬ ‭ f positive charge moves into the air. When the stepped leader and the positive charge from the earth meet,‬
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‭a strong electric current carries positive charge up into thecloud. This electric current is known as the return‬
‭ e know that sometimes during rain, thunder and lightning also takes‬
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‭stroke and humans can see it as lightning.‬
‭place. During rain over the sky flashes of light are also observe. This‬
‭natural phenomenon is called lightning. During lightning strike, ten to‬
‭TYPES OF LIGHTNING:‬
‭twenty thousand amperes of electric current flows. The air in the path of‬
‭lightning heats up and gets hotter than the surface of the sun (about‬ ‭ ightning can take place in several different areas of a thunderstorm. Most lightning (about 80%) occurs‬
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‭30,000°C). This causes the flash of lightning.‬ ‭within a single cloud and is called cloud-to-cloud lightning. Most of the other 20% of lightning involves a‬
‭stroke from the cloud to the ground. Damage is usually caused where the lightning strikes the ground. And‬
‭ he thunder that we hear during rain is due to the wave of vibrations‬
T ‭sometimes lightning can jump from one cloud to another or to the surrounding air.‬
‭(shock wave) which occur due to enormous amount of heat produced and‬
‭make the air expand suddenly.‬ ‭●‬ M ‭ ost of the lightning we see appears as a single line of bright white light, called streak lightning.‬
‭However, several other types of lightning can occur.‬
‭ herefore, a lightning is a high-energy electric discharge accompanied by‬
T ‭●‬ ‭Forked lightning occurs when a second lightning stroke doesn't follow the same path as the first‬
‭a large amount of heat and light. This can happen between a charged‬ ‭lightning stroke. It usually follows a zigzag pattern and appears forked with many branches. Forked‬
‭cloud and the ground, between two charged clouds or even between two oppositely charged portions of the‬ ‭lightning can go from cloud-to-ground, cloud-to-cloud, or cloud-to-air.‬
‭same cloud.‬ ‭●‬ ‭Ribbon lightning occurs in thunderstorms with high cross winds and multiple strokes of lightning.‬
‭Winds separate the strokes of the lightning bold, making it look like there are parallel streaks of light.‬
‭ hunderstorms often occur at the end of hot, sticky summer days. At this time, warm moist air rises quickly‬
T ‭This is a form of cloud-to-ground lightning.‬
‭and forms large cumulonimbus clouds. Inside these tall dark clouds, air currents create strong up draughts‬ ‭●‬ ‭Bead lightning is a relatively rare form of lightning. In bead lightning, the stroke appears to break up‬
‭and water droplets and ice particles rub against each other. As they bang together like this, it causes a‬ ‭into a string of short, bright sections, and looks like a string of beads. This is a form of‬
‭build-up of static electricity. Lighter, positive charges gather at the top of the cloud and heavier,‬ ‭cloud-to-ground lightning.‬
‭negatively-charged pieces of ice and water accumulate at the base. The ground below is also positively‬ ‭●‬ ‭Sheet lightning occurs when the actual bolt or flash of lightning is hidden behind the clouds. When‬
‭charged. Electricity flows between the charges and the difference between them increases. When the‬ ‭sheet lightning occurs the entire sky flashes a glowing white color. This is a form of cloud-to-cloud‬
‭differences get big enough, they are neutralized and electricity is released as a flash of lightning.‬ ‭lightning.‬
‭●‬ ‭Heat lightning occurs within a cloud, but the observer is too far away from the storm for its thunder to‬
‭FORMATION OF LIGHTNING:‬
‭be heard. The sound waves dissipate before reaching the observer. Instead of individual strokes, heat‬
‭ he sky is filled with electric charge. In a calm sky, the positive (+) and negative (-) charges are evenly‬
T ‭lightning often lights up the entire cloud. This is a form of cloud-to-cloud lightning.‬
‭spaced throughout the atmosphere. Therefore, a calm sky has a‬
‭neutral charge.‬

I‭nside a thunderstorm, the electric charge is spread out differently. A‬

‭thunderstorm is made up of ice crystals and hailstones. The ice‬
‭crystals have a positive charge, and the hailstones have a negative‬
‭charge. An updraft pushes the ice crystals to the top of the‬
‭thunderstorm cloud. At the same time, the hailstones are pushed to‬
‭the bottom of the thunderstorm by its downdraft. These processes‬
‭separate the positive and negative charges of the cloud into two‬
‭levels: the positive charge at the top and the negative charge at the‬
‭bottom.‬

‭ uring a thunderstorm, the Earth's surface has a positive charge.‬

D
‭Because opposites attract, the negative charge at the bottom of the‬
‭thunder cloud wants to link up with the positive charge of the Earth's‬
‭surface.‬

‭ nce the negative charge at the bottom of the cloud gets large‬
O
‭enough, a flow of negative charge rushes toward the Earth. This is‬
‭known as a stepped leader. The positive charges of the Earth are attracted to this stepped leader, so a flow‬