Thunderstorms are violent weather disturbances with lightning, thunder, and strong winds. Warm, moist air rises in updrafts to cooler regions, forming cumulonimbus clouds. Cooled air sinks, creating downdrafts and horizontal winds. Electrical charges accumulate on cloud particles, leading to lightning discharges
Fulgurites are natural tubes formed when lightning strikes ground. Lightning discharges can bridge potential differences exceeding 100 million volts. Peak temperatures in lightning channels exceed 30,000 K. Chemical composition varies based on struck material properties
Gas giants are planets composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter and Saturn are the main gas giants in the Solar System. Uranus and Neptune are now classified as ice giants. Gas giants contain 3-13% heavier elements in their mass
Lightning is an electrostatic discharge between charged regions in atmosphere. Releases energy between 200 megajoules and 7 gigajoules. Causes thunder, sound from shock wave in nearby gases. Occurs during thunderstorms, volcanic eruptions, and other weather systems
Thunderstorms are characterized by lightning and thunder, occurring in cumulonimbus clouds. They typically produce strong winds, heavy rain, and sometimes snow or hail. Thunderstorms can form in any location but most frequently in mid-latitude regions
Lightning strikes can cause direct strikes, side splash, contact injury, or ground current. Lightning strikes have extremely high voltage of about 30 million volts. Lightning burns form unique tree-like lesions called Lichtenberg figures