During a lightning flash, there exists a potential difference of Vcloud-Vground=

Question

During a lightning flash, there exists a potential difference of Vcloud-Vground=3.4xe9v between a cloud and the ground. As a result, a charge of -25 c is transferred from the ground to the cloud. A. How much work Wground-cloud is done by the electrical force? B. If the work done by the electrical force were used to accelerate a 1850 kg automobile from rest, what it's final speed be? C. If the work done by the electrical force were converted to heat, how many kilos of water at 0 degrees celcius would be heated to 100 degrees celcius?

Explanation / Answer

Potential is defined work done per unit charge

or V = W/q ...so W = V*q = 3.4x10^9V*25C = 9.75x10^10J

b) W = ?K => 9.75x10^10J = 1/2*m*v^2 ...so v = sqrt(2*9.75x10^10/1850) = 10266.7m/s

c) Now Q = m*c*?T ...so m = Q/(c*?T) = 9.75x10^10/(4186*100) = 2.329x10^5kg

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