During a lightning strike, on the order of 10 C of charge is transferred to the
ID: 1427436 • Letter: D
Question
During a lightning strike, on the order of 10 C of charge is transferred to the ground over a potential difference of 6 Times 10^8 V What is the capacitance of the cloud-ground system? Express your answer with the appropriate units. How much energy is stored in the system just before the strike? Express your answer with the appropriate units. As a check on the order of magnitude of your answer for part B, convert the energy released in the lightning strike into liters of gasoline (gasoline has a stored chemical energy of 36 MJ/liter).Explanation / Answer
A.
Q=CU --> C=Q/U~16.67*10-9 F= 16.67 nF
B.
E=CU2/2=3*109 J=3 GJ
C.
3000/36 ~83.33 liters