Lightning has long fascinated scientists and non-scientists alike, despite its relatively common occurrence. Recently, a team of engineers and meteorologists made breakthroughs in understanding the atmospheric events that lead to lightning strikes.
Using mathematical models, the researchers have gained new insights into how lightning forms in cloudtops. According to their findings, powerful electric fields accelerate electrons, producing X-rays, electrons, and high-energy photons that eventually create a giant lightning bolt.
The study’s authors built upon a previous model that simulated thundercloud conditions. They compared their upgraded model with field observations from various research groups using ground-based sensors, satellite data, and spy planes. The team focused on identifying nearby terrestrial gamma-ray flash (TGF) events, which are invisible bursts of X-rays and radiowaves associated with lightning.
The researchers found that electrons in thunderclouds radiate energetic photons when forced to crash against nitrogen and oxygen atoms. This initiates a chain reaction that eventually unleashes a burst of photons visible as a lightning bolt.
The new model presents the first fully time-dependent simulations, which can be applied to events observed at different altitudes. These simulations differ from previous studies, which typically modeled limited areas of thunderclouds.
The team’s findings demonstrate how mathematical models can help crack climate mysteries. The strategy behind these complex calculations is based on simple, intuitive ideas, often leading to breakthroughs in understanding complex phenomena.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/scientists-unveil-the-shocking-truth-behind-lightnings-mysterious-birth-2000636103