Chemistry of Lightning

Chemistry ConnectionsEpisode #25  Welcome to Chemistry Connections, my name is Christopher Sawicki, and I am your host for episode #25. Today I will be discussing the chemistry of lightning.Segment 1: Introduction to lightningLighting, how lightning is produced and whyLighting gives of a smell and colorIonization: transfer of electrons to form an ion or from an ionIntramolecular forces: attractions between atoms in a moleculeIntermolecular forces: attractions between entire moleculesSegment 2: The Chemistry Behind lightningLightningWater and ice move around in the cloud, ice has a negative chargeUpdrafts and downdrafts in storms cause water molecules to collide which causes electrons to be separated from the molecules and move towards the bottom of the cloudWarm updrafts sweep positively charged molecules to the top of the cloudUpdraft: current of air moving upPositive ions move towards the top of the cloud and creates an electric fieldElectrons are attracted to positive charged ions on the groundCan contain billions to trillions of electrons1 billion volts of electricityUp to 5 billion Joules of energyElectrons are attracted to positive charged ions because they want to neutralize themselves.Protons move up and meet the electrons as they move downAs electrons move down through during lightning, they crash into more molecules in the air, creating more ionsThis is why metals attract lightning because it has a sea of electrons and many positive charged ions.SmellThe smell of thunderstorms is the result of ozone in the airAs lightning travels down, it splits O2 molecules creating 2 oxygen atomsThese oxygen atoms then bond with other O2 molecules creating ozone, O3ColorCreates a blue-violet color highlighting the lightning boltElectrons form lightning...