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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.