![Transcription Center logo](/themes/custom/tc_theme/assets/image/logo.png)
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
process can repeat, breaking down another 50m of air, etc.... until bolt reaches ground or stops short. [[handwritten diagram]] [[delta symbol]] t ~ .01 sec (~5 coulombs) 2. once step- leader hit ground, (~.01 sec), a conductive path has been formed (some free charge remains along that path). Return stroke follows same path, but is lighter, moves at ~1/4 c, + also dumps ~5 coulombs 3. successive "step-leaders" or "darts" can then trace path of 1st (air is already ionized - primarily H2O dissociation - so path is conductive). [These don't have "branches" - there's no need for them to search for a path + hit dead ends] Theories on charge separation: 1. precipitation forms in clouds.... these larger particles acquire negative charge (why?) + when they settle toward bottom of cloud, they take (-) [[negative charge]] with them.