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Fact 7. Did you know that lightning can travel up to 200 miles in a split second?
Have you ever wondered about the incredible speed of lightning? It can travel up to 200 miles in a split second! This amazing phenomenon is a key part of our planet's weather system.
What is Lightning?
Lightning is a giant electrical discharge that happens inside a thunderstorm cloud or between the cloud and the ground. The air inside the cloud becomes filled with electricity, and when the difference between positive and negative charges gets too big, a lightning bolt is released to balance them out.
Types of Lightning
There are three main types of lightning:
● Intracloud: Happens inside a single thunderstorm cloud.
● Cloud-to-Cloud: Jumps between two different thunderstorm clouds.
● Cloud-to-Ground: The most common type, strikes the earth's surface.
Lightning's Incredible Speed
Lightning travels incredibly fast, usually between 100,000 and 200,000 miles per hour. That means it can cover huge distances in a tiny fraction of a second, making it one of the fastest things in nature.
Safety First
Even though lightning is amazing to watch, it's important to remember that it can also be dangerous. If you're caught in a thunderstorm, the safest thing to do is go inside a sturdy building, stay away from open areas, and unplug electrical appliances.
Interesting Facts
Here are some fun facts about lightning:
● It strikes the Earth about 100 times every second.
● The longest lightning bolt ever recorded was over 267 miles long.
● The tallest building ever hit by lightning is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
● Lightning can start wildfires and cause power outages.
● Scientists are still learning about exactly how lightning forms.
Lightning is a powerful and beautiful force of nature. By understanding it and taking safety precautions, we can appreciate its beauty from a distance and stay safe during thunderstorms.
WORDLIST:
lightning – молния
in a split second – в доли секунды
giant – гигaнтский
discharge – рaзряд
thunderstorm cloud – грозовaя тучa
positive and negative charges – положительные и отрицaтельные зaряды
lightning bolt – молния
strikes – удaряет
surface – поверхность
cover huge distances – преодолевaть огромные рaсстояния
tiny fraction – крошечнaя доля
sturdy – прочный
unplug – отключaть
electrical appliances – электроприборы
cause – вызывaть
power outages – перебои в подaче электроэнергии
precautions – меры предосторожности
appreciate – ценить
QUESTIONS:
How fast can lightning travel?
What is lightning?
Name the three main types of lightning.
Why is it important to take safety precautions during a thunderstorm?
What is the tallest building ever hit by lightning?
Can lightning cause wildfires and power outages?
Are scientists still learning about lightning formation?
What is the best way to stay safe during a thunderstorm?