Flash ................. Bang

Friction causes a lot of things, heat, decay in velocity and transfer of electrons, but it more often than not, ignored in basic physics. Why is this? Because it is so damn hard to calculate.

Another thing it does is create lightning. The build up of electrons (e-) in the clouds creates the need for balance. This balance in charges occurs when the potential difference between the clouds and the ground becomes great enough for the electrons to pass to the ground.. *Flash*.......*Bang* Lightning is created.

A little bit more physics for u, the Di-electric break down of air is 3million volts per meter.. if that doesn't make u go "WOW" (which wouldn't surprise me) then let me explain it a bit better... take a guess at how many meters there is between the clouds and the ground... lets say 500m (that is just a guess, u figure it out cumulonimbus clouds are usually a cretin distance from the ground.. wikipedia it.. okay so i did it for u [link] they say 2,000-15,000m) then times that distance by 3million... 1,500million volts to create the lightning to reach the ground... one must take into account that the dielectric breakdown of air is less because of the humidity caused by the rain that either precedes or occurs when there is lightning

Of course the reason the lightning strikes the highest point in a given place is because the potential difference is smallest... so often this voltage is smaller too..

I apologise for mis-information, that is just my understanding.

Jezza

PS I love lightning