Question

Lightning occurs when there is a flow of electric charge (principally electrons) between the ground and a thundercloud. The maximum rate of charge flow in a lightning bolt is about 20,000 C/s this lasts for 100 μs or less.1. How much charge flows between the ground and the cloud in this time? (Q= ? C)2. How many electrons flow during this time? (n_e = ?)

Answer 1

Answer:

a

 The  charge is  $Q =  2.0*10^8 \  C$

b

The number of electrons  $N  =  1.25 *10^{27} \  electrons$

Explanation:

From the question we are told that

    The  maximum rate of charge flow is  $\frac{dq}{dt} = I =  20000 \  C/s$

Here  I means current

    The time interval is $t=100 \mu s  = 100*10^{-6}$

Generally the amount of charge is mathematically represented as

        $Q =  \frac{I}{t}$

=>      $Q =  \frac{20000}{ 100*10^{-6}}$

=>    $Q =  2.0*10^8 \  C$

The number of electrons that flow during that time is evaluated as

    $N  =  \frac{Q}{e}$

Here e is the charge on a single electron with value $e=  1.60*10^{-19} \  C$

So

         $N  =  \frac{2.0*10^8}{ 1.60*10^{-19}}$

         $N  =  1.25 *10^{27} \  electrons$