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

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 ↗
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