Assignment #9 � How Lightning Works
The following assignment is long, so it is worth 50 points, and there is no
assignment 10.
Select the following link and answer the following questions:
Page 1 � How Lightning Works
� Give a short (2 or 3 sentences) summary of the water cycle.
� Why do you think the writers begin talking about lightning by
explaining the water cycle?
� Watch the video (it�s 5 minutes long) and answer the following
questions:
o Based on what you see, why is it a bad idea to stand under a
tree during a lightning storm?
o According to the video, what don�t we know about lightning?
What do we know?
o What is a step leader?
o What rises up from the ground toward the step leader?
o How does the bolt actually go during the start of a lightning
strike?
o What have pilots reported?
o What are the flashed nicknamed? How big are they?
Page 2 � Electrical Storms
� What part of a cloud has a positive charge? A negative charge?
� How does the forming of clouds help produce lightning?
� Why is freezing so important?
� How do charged clouds help Earth get charged?
� What is the last thing needed for a lightning strike?
Page 5 � Positive Streamers and Exploding Air
� Do positive streamers go up forever?
� Do you make streamers during a storm?
� How hot is lightning?
� What causes thunder?
� Why do we hear thunder after lightning? Will we ever hear thunder
first? Why or why not?
Page 7 � Types of Strikes and Types of Lightning
� List the 9 types of lightning. Which three are photographed?
Page 8 � Lightning Rods
� What is the purpose of lightning rods? Look around IMG. Do you see
any lightning rods on campus?
Page 9 � Lightning Safety
� How many people get struck by lightning? How many die?
� What are some things to do if you are outside in a lightning storm?
� What are some things to do if you are inside in a lightning storm?
Lastly, search the 12 pages. Find, summarize, and explain each of the 4
myths.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/lightning.htm