In a thunderstorm, electric charge builds up on the waterdroplets or ice crystal

Question

In a thunderstorm, electric charge builds up on the waterdroplets or ice crystals in a cloud. Thus, the charge can beconsidered to be distributed uniformly throughout the cloud. Thecharge builds up until the electric field at the surface of thecloud reaches the value at which the surrounding air "breaksdown."

In general, the term "breakdown" refers to the situation when adielectric (insulator) such as air becomes a conductor. In thiscase, it means that, because of a very strong electric field, theair becomes highly ionized, enabling it to conduct the charge fromthe cloud to the ground or another nearby cloud. The ionized airthen emits light as the electrons and ionized atoms recombine toform excited molecules that radiate light. The resulting largecurrent heats up the air, causing its rapid expansion. These twophenomena account for the appearance of lightning and the sound ofthunder.

Explanation / Answer

radius R = 0.500 km, the electric field at the surface of a sphere with a radius of Ris E = q/(40R2) = Eb q = 40R2 * Eb =83.3 C number = q/e = 5.21*1020

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