Talk:Lightning

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Harvesting lightning energy

This section first states that a single bolt of lightning carries a large amount of energy, and then later mentions that it carries a very small amount of energy. Could it be that the first statement is referring to a large amount of power rather than energy?

This section cites two sources stating that lightning carries two different amounts of energy:

1. "a single bolt of lightning carries a relatively large amount of energy (approximately 5 billion joules[121])."

2. "According to Northeastern University physicists Stephen Reucroft and John Swain, a lightning bolt carries a few million joules of energy."

It seems that both statements cannot be correct unless, of course, those two sources discuss different concepts. Can this be expanded upon? 188.116.3.163 (talk) 09:55, 6 January 2012 (UTC)

"positive lightning"

In the section Cloud to ground lightning, there is a likk to the article "Positive Lightning" which does not exist, and redirects back to this page. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 114.77.133.223 (talk) 23:30, 6 November 2011 (UTC)

"Positive Lightning", "Cloud-to-Ground Lightning" and "Cloud-to-Cloud" Lightning

The description of "Ground-to-Cloud Lightning" applies to the least common (one tenth the incidence of the most common) of the two forms of Cloud-Ground Lightning; it might be helpful to state this in the "Ground-to-Cloud Lightning" section.

In general, descriptions of directionality and charge polarity in the sections entitled "Cloud-to-Ground Lightning", "Ground-to-Cloud Lightning" and "Cloud-to-Cloud Lightning" are consistent with the literature, but citations and/or clarifications may be helpful in these sections. For example: a broad and detailed view, rigorous nomenclature, and quantitative distinctions regarding (a) types of lightning, (b) directionality and (c) charge polarity, which can resolve existing "citations needed" flags and similar items that have not been flagged, can be found in "Lightning: Physics and Effects" (Rakov and Uman, 2003, Cambridge Press). For example, Section 1.2 of "Lightning: Physics and Effects" (Rakov and Uman, 2003) alleviates some abiguity by adhering to a generally accepted nomenclature describing the four types of cloud-ground lightning as: downward negative, upward negative, downward positive and upward positive. Section 1.2 of "Lightning: Physics and Effects" (Rakov and Uman, 2003) also provides minimized ambiguity by adhering to a generally accepted nomenclature describing cloud-cloud discharges. Finally, Section 1.2 of "Lightning: Physics and Effects" references (potentially helpful) detailed descriptions of all of the above-mentioned types of lightning, within "Lightning: Physics and Effects" and elsewhere. Jplesa (talk) 09:48, 28 November 2011 (UTC)

Jplesa I would agree with you, I believe this page needs a little work over and possible reorganization. I would also agree the Rakov and Uman literature is probably the best source to work from. I am currently working on putting together a "Lightning Protection Systems" page, wherein I am looking for other pages to comprise a good portion of it, instead of having multiple pages saying different things. On this page, what I see it needing are the following:

1. Establishing industry/scientifically accepted names and using them consistently throughout the article to replace ambiguous or old naming practices, i.e., "strike" = (whic part: flash, stroke, termination, etc.), "thundercloud" = "storm cell", etc. I've compiled a "glossary" in my sandbox that would probably be a good basis.
2. Applying more emphasis on Cloud-to-Ground Flashes as this is what primarily affects humans & their property. I would agree there is too much focus on both lesser percentage variations and anomalies, and this confuses the understanding of the primary concern of people, CG.
3. This would allow for more clarity in the discussion of Flash formation & discharge, which if it isn't completed here, I will need to do on the other page. I would prefer that discussion to be here.

Comments, suggestions, etc. Borealdreams (talk) 21:54, 13 March 2012 (UTC)

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Queries about lightning discharge

In the 'discharge' section of the page, "Lightning", it is written: "When the electric field becomes strong enough, an electrical discharge (the bolt of lightning) occurs within clouds or between clouds and the ground. During the strike, successive portions of air become a conductive discharge channel as the electrons and positive ions of air molecules are pulled away from each other and forced to flow in opposite directions." But I want to know in which directions the electrons flow and the positive ions flow. The electrons flow from the negatively charged basal portion of the cloud to the ground through the conductive discharge channel.Then does the positive ions flow towards the cloud?

Nandi.abir (talk) 06:52, 29 March 2012 (UTC)