1 km -25 C 10 km + + + + + + +25 C FIGURE P21.88
Storm clouds build up large negative charges. The charges dwell in charge centers, regions of concentrated charge. Suppose a cloud has -25 C in a 1.0@km@diameter spherical charge center located 10 km above the ground, as sketched is shown. The negative charge center attracts a similar amount of positive charge that is spread on the ground below the cloud.
The charge center and the ground function as a charged capacitor, with a
potential difference of approximately 4 x 108 V. The large electric field between these two “electrodes” may ionize the air, leading to a conducting path between the cloud and the ground. Charges will flow along this conducting path, causing a discharge of the capacitor—a lightning strike.
If 12.5 C of charge is transferred from the cloud to the ground in a lightning strike, what fraction of the stored energy is dissipated?
A. 12% B. 25% C. 50% D. 75%
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