Maxi from Schwabach asks: Why is lightning jagged?

Maxi from Schwabach asks: Why is lightning jagged?

In the exciting world of television, there are often stories that not only entertain us, but also stimulate thought. A younger example comes from Schwabach, where the 13-year-old Maxi asked a question on the Italian island of Elba that many of us have already employed: "Why is lightning actually jagged?" This fascinating question will be treated on June 28th at 8:15 p.m. in the "Big Mouse Show" with moderator Esther Sedlaczek, such as Infranken.de reported.

Maxi, a real nature lover and passionate researcher, was inspired by a thunderstorm during his vacation time in Italy. In the same show, other children will ask questions that are just as exciting: How does an earwig arise? Can babies taste in the stomach? And how does the milk know which cheese it should be? These curious topics are explained by experts from the "broadcast with the mouse" such as Siham el-Maimouni, Ralph Caspers and Christoph Biemann.

The phenomenon flash

But what exactly is the question that Maxi raised? The answer leads us into the fascinating world of thunderstorms. Lights arise in storm clouds when small drops of water collide and create electrical loads, such as Studyflix.de . The lower part of the cloud decreases in the lower part of the cloud, while lighter water droplets remain at the top and are positively loaded. This load separation creates an enormous electrical voltage.

If the difference in the electrical load becomes large enough, the cloud discharges in the form of a flash. Various types occur: the cloud of clouds discharges within the cloud, while the flash of earth establishes the connection between the cloud and earth. The light that we see as lightning in the sky is the result of this discharge - an incredible phenomenon that is associated with temperatures of up to 30,000 degrees Celsius, which leads to the formation of plasma.

sound of thunder

While lightning brings the light into the dark, it is the thunder that appeals to hearing. This arises from the explosive expansion of the air, which is generated by the enormous heat in the flash channel. The time between lightning and thunder can be used to calculate the distance to the flash - a useful knowledge, especially for security during thunderstorms.

The "big mouse show" is a colorful mix of entertainment and education. With prominent guests such as Annette Frier, Wincent Weiss, and Johannes B. Kerner, she offers a platform for interesting and educational discussions that address both children and adults. The upcoming episode on June 28th also marks the last appearance of Esther Sedlaczek before their baby break; Florian Silbereisen will moderate the next edition.

This mix of curiosity and interesting facts once again shows how important it is to inspire children for the phenomena of nature. Who knows, maybe with his question, not only inspires his peers, but also many adults to learn more about the inexplicable miracles of the world and science behind it.