a lightning strike transfers 210 C of charge to the ground within 1.5x10^-3 s (1.5 ms). The current during the lightning strike is?
5 years ago
Current is calculated using the equation:
$I=\frac{Q}{t}$I=Qt , where Q is the charge and t is the time, measured in coulombs, C and seconds, s respectively.
You must use the units of seconds since the SI units for current is amperes which is defined as $1A=1\frac{C}{s}$1A=1Cs .
Solution: $I=\frac{Q}{t}=\frac{210C}{1.5\cdot10^{-3}s}=140000A=140kA$I=Qt =210C1.5·10−3s =140000A=140kA
Current is the measure of charge moving over time and defined as
I = q/t , where q is the charge flowing and t is the time
if we place the numbers in this equation we get that the current I is
I = 210C/1.5ms = 140,000 Amps
or 140kA
this is on the strong side for a lightning strike but not unreasonable. (Average bolt moves ~35C resulting in 23kA of current)
5 years ago
Answered By Keifer Y
Current is calculated using the equation:
$I=\frac{Q}{t}$I=Qt , where Q is the charge and t is the time, measured in coulombs, C and seconds, s respectively.
You must use the units of seconds since the SI units for current is amperes which is defined as $1A=1\frac{C}{s}$1A=1Cs .
Solution: $I=\frac{Q}{t}=\frac{210C}{1.5\cdot10^{-3}s}=140000A=140kA$I=Qt =210C1.5·10−3s =140000A=140kA
5 years ago
Answered By Clifton P
Current is the measure of charge moving over time and defined as
I = q/t , where q is the charge flowing and t is the time
if we place the numbers in this equation we get that the current I is
I = 210C/1.5ms = 140,000 Amps
or 140kA
this is on the strong side for a lightning strike but not unreasonable. (Average bolt moves ~35C resulting in 23kA of current)