Thunder and lightning are caused by atmospheric conditions involving the rapid movement and collision of water droplets and ice particles within clouds. Lightning forms in cumulonimbus clouds when warm air rises rapidly, cools, and condenses into water droplets and ice crystals. These ice particles collide, causing a separation of electrical charges: negatively charged hail gathers near the bottom of the cloud, while positively charged ice crystals accumulate near the top. The resulting electrical imbalance between the cloud's base and the Earth's surface or other clouds builds up until a discharge occurs, producing a flash of lightning. This discharge balances the charge difference by allowing electrons to jump between the charged regions. The lightning bolt heats the air along its path extremely quickly—up to around 27,000 °C—causing the air to expand rapidly and explosively. This expansion creates a shock wave heard as thunder. In summary:
- Thunderstorms form when warm air rises beneath colder air, creating unstable conditions.
- Electrical charges separate in clouds due to the collision of ice particles.
- Lightning is the discharge of electrical energy between the cloud and ground or within clouds.
- Thunder is the sound caused by the rapid expansion of air heated by lightning.
This explanation covers the cause of both lightning and its accompanying thunder.
