Petir (Lightning): Understanding, Formation, and Impact
Petir (lightning) is a natural phenomenon that occurs when electrical discharges take place in the atmosphere, often during thunderstorms. These discharges can be incredibly powerful, generating bright flashes of light and creating thunder. Lightning is not only a spectacular display of nature’s power, but it also plays a critical role in the Earth’s electrical balance. Formation of Petir (Lightning) Lightning forms due to the buildup of electrical charges within a thunderstorm cloud, called a cumulonimbus cloud . This process involves several steps: Charge Separation : Inside a thunderstorm, strong updrafts and downdrafts cause the collision of ice particles and water droplets. As particles collide, they gain a positive or negative charge. The lighter, positively charged particles tend to rise to the top of the cloud, while the heavier, negatively charged particles sink to the bottom. Electrical Imbalance : As the storm intensifies, the negative charges at the bottom of the clo...