Lightning discharge time 3ms. The current strength in the lightning channel

Lightning discharge time 3ms. The current strength in the lightning channel is about 30 kA. What charge passes through the lightning channel?

It is known that the lightning discharge time is t = 3 ms = 0.003 s. In this case, the current strength in the lightning channel is about I = 30 kA = 30,000 A. To determine which charge q passes through the lightning channel during this time, we will use the definition of the concept of current strength as a charge passing through the cross section per unit of time:

I = q / t, then we get:

q = I ∙ t.

Let’s substitute the values of physical quantities in the calculation formula and find the amount of electric charge carried by lightning:

q = 30,000 A ∙ 0.003 s;

q = 90 Cl.

Answer: a charge of 90 C passes through the lightning channel.