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Earth's Deadliest Spark - The Physics of a Billion-Volt Lightning Strike

202250 minHD★ 8.5Science & Tech
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Editor's Take

Editor's Take

Lightning, common yet still imperfectly understood, is the subject of this look at the physics behind the strike. It follows the process from the charging of a storm cloud to a discharge that heats the surrounding air far past the temperature of the sun's surface. High-speed imagery is paired with clear explanation, keeping a single phenomenon in tight focus. It is an efficient primer for viewers who want the mechanism rather than a general weather documentary.

Earth's Deadliest Spark examines the physics of lightning, one of nature's most common yet least understood forces. The film traces the journey of a lightning bolt from the charging of a storm cloud to the billion-volt discharge that heats the air far hotter than the surface of the sun. It combines high-speed imagery with clear science to explain how and why lightning strikes millions of times a day. It is a striking look at a phenomenon we see often but rarely understand. Free to watch in HD on Dr Documentary.

Courtesy of Spark on YouTube. Watch on YouTube ↗

ScienceLightningAtmospheric SciencePhysics

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