Clouds and Clouds and Thunder and Thunder and

Lightning, OH Lightning, OH MY!!!MY!!!Katherine Hague, Hillary Katherine Hague, Hillary

Edwards, and Kristie BittnerEdwards, and Kristie Bittner

There’s a Storm There’s a Storm Brewing…Brewing…

Different clouds bring different Different clouds bring different weather and in order to understand weather and in order to understand weather, it is important to be weather, it is important to be familiar with the different types of familiar with the different types of clouds.clouds.

cumulus- means heap, pile, or cumulus- means heap, pile, or accumulation of clouds accumulation of clouds

More CloudsMore Clouds Stratus- spread out, flattened clouds that appear to be Stratus- spread out, flattened clouds that appear to be

in layers. in layers. NimbusNimbus-- rainy cloud. Usually gray in color, Nimbus rainy cloud. Usually gray in color, Nimbus

clouds can be either cumulus (puffy) or stratus (flat).clouds can be either cumulus (puffy) or stratus (flat). Cumulonimbus-generally known as thunderstorm Cumulonimbus-generally known as thunderstorm

clouds. High winds will flatten the top of the cloud into clouds. High winds will flatten the top of the cloud into an anvil-like shape. Cumulonimbus are associated with an anvil-like shape. Cumulonimbus are associated with heavy rain, snow, hail, lightning, and tornadoes. The heavy rain, snow, hail, lightning, and tornadoes. The anvil usually points in the direction the storm is anvil usually points in the direction the storm is moving. moving.

What is Lightning?What is Lightning? Have you ever gotten a shock by shuffling across a carpet Have you ever gotten a shock by shuffling across a carpet

and then touching something made of metal? Then you've and then touching something made of metal? Then you've experienced the same process that makes lightning experienced the same process that makes lightning

Within a thundercloud, many small bits of ice bump into Within a thundercloud, many small bits of ice bump into each other as they swirl around in the air. All those each other as they swirl around in the air. All those collisions create an electrical charge, just like the one collisions create an electrical charge, just like the one that built up in you when you crossed the carpet. that built up in you when you crossed the carpet.

After a while, the whole cloud fills up with electrical After a while, the whole cloud fills up with electrical charges (usually with a negative charge closest to the charges (usually with a negative charge closest to the earth). Since opposites attract each other, that causes a earth). Since opposites attract each other, that causes a positive charge to build up on the ground beneath the positive charge to build up on the ground beneath the cloud. The ground's electrical charge concentrates cloud. The ground's electrical charge concentrates around anything that sticks up, such as mountains, lone around anything that sticks up, such as mountains, lone trees, people, or even blades of grass. The charge trees, people, or even blades of grass. The charge streaming up from these points eventually connects with streaming up from these points eventually connects with a charge reaching down from the clouds, and lightning a charge reaching down from the clouds, and lightning strikes. strikes.

What is Lightning, Con’t.What is Lightning, Con’t. Lightning flashes aren't all the same shape or size, and Lightning flashes aren't all the same shape or size, and

they don't all carry the same amount of electrical current. they don't all carry the same amount of electrical current. Two clouds that are about the same size may create very Two clouds that are about the same size may create very different amounts of lightning. It depends on how much different amounts of lightning. It depends on how much electrical charge the cloud has, and that depends on a lot electrical charge the cloud has, and that depends on a lot of other things, like how fast air is moving in the cloud and of other things, like how fast air is moving in the cloud and how many ice crystals have formed in the cloud. how many ice crystals have formed in the cloud.

Satellites looking down at the earth have shown that there Satellites looking down at the earth have shown that there are more than 3 million lightning flashes each day around are more than 3 million lightning flashes each day around the world. That works out to about 40 flashes each second. the world. That works out to about 40 flashes each second. This includes flashes within or between clouds as well as This includes flashes within or between clouds as well as the ones that strike the ground. It sounds like a lot, but it's the ones that strike the ground. It sounds like a lot, but it's less than scientists used to think there were. less than scientists used to think there were.

Kinds of LightningKinds of LightningIn-Cloud Lightning:In-Cloud Lightning: The most common type, it The most common type, it

travels between positive and negative charge travels between positive and negative charge centers within the thunderstorm.centers within the thunderstorm.

Cloud-to-Ground Lightning:Cloud-to-Ground Lightning: This is lightning This is lightning that reaches from a thunderstorm cloud to the that reaches from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground.ground.

Cloud-to-Cloud LightningCloud-to-Cloud Lightning: A rare event, it is : A rare event, it is lightning that travels from one cloud to lightning that travels from one cloud to another.another.

Sheet Lightning:Sheet Lightning: This is lightning within a This is lightning within a cloud that lights up the cloud like a sheet of cloud that lights up the cloud like a sheet of light.light.

Kinds of Lightning, Kinds of Lightning, Cont’dCont’d

Ribbon LightningRibbon Lightning: This is when a cloud-to-: This is when a cloud-to-ground flash is blown sideways by the wind, ground flash is blown sideways by the wind, making it appear as two identical bolts side by making it appear as two identical bolts side by side.side.

Bead LightningBead Lightning:: Also called "chain lightning," Also called "chain lightning," this is when the lightning bolt appears to be this is when the lightning bolt appears to be broken into fragments because of varying broken into fragments because of varying brightness or because parts of the bolt are brightness or because parts of the bolt are covered by clouds.covered by clouds.

Kinds of Lightning, Kinds of Lightning, Con’t.Con’t.

Ball Lightning:Ball Lightning: Rarely seen, this is Rarely seen, this is lightning in the form of a grapefruit-lightning in the form of a grapefruit-sized ball, which lasts only a few sized ball, which lasts only a few seconds.seconds.

Bolt from the blue:Bolt from the blue: A lightning bolt A lightning bolt from a distant thunderstorm, seeming to from a distant thunderstorm, seeming to come out of the clear blue sky, but really come out of the clear blue sky, but really from the top or edge of a thunderstorm a from the top or edge of a thunderstorm a few miles away.few miles away.

Danger!!Danger!! Lightning kills about 100 Americans each year, which is more Lightning kills about 100 Americans each year, which is more

than any other kind of weather. About 400 other people each year than any other kind of weather. About 400 other people each year are struck by lightning and live through the experience and as a are struck by lightning and live through the experience and as a result have health problem like losing control over some parts of result have health problem like losing control over some parts of the body or losing their memory. the body or losing their memory.

The best way to keep from getting struck by lightning is to go The best way to keep from getting struck by lightning is to go inside before an electrical storm gets too close. To find out how inside before an electrical storm gets too close. To find out how close the storm is, start counting slowly as soon as you see close the storm is, start counting slowly as soon as you see lightning. Light travels extremely fast, so the lightning's flash lightning. Light travels extremely fast, so the lightning's flash reaches your eyes instantly, but the sound of thunder travels reaches your eyes instantly, but the sound of thunder travels much slower--one mile in five seconds. If you hear thunder before much slower--one mile in five seconds. If you hear thunder before you can count to 30, the storm is within six miles of you, and the you can count to 30, the storm is within six miles of you, and the next lightning strike could be right near you. Get into a house or next lightning strike could be right near you. Get into a house or car and stay there till the storm moves away.car and stay there till the storm moves away.

If you're not close to shelter, here are some things to stay away If you're not close to shelter, here are some things to stay away from: from:

tall trees or poles tall trees or poles completely open areas like fields completely open areas like fields bodies of water, like lakes or the ocean bodies of water, like lakes or the ocean metal fences, sports equipment, bikes, etcmetal fences, sports equipment, bikes, etc

Fun Lightning Facts!Fun Lightning Facts! An estimated two thousand thunderstorms are going on in the world An estimated two thousand thunderstorms are going on in the world

at any one time.at any one time. The diameter of a lightning bolt is about a half-inch to an inch wide, The diameter of a lightning bolt is about a half-inch to an inch wide,

but can be up to five inches wide. The average length of a lightning but can be up to five inches wide. The average length of a lightning bolt from a cloud to the ground is three to four miles long.bolt from a cloud to the ground is three to four miles long.

When lightning strikes a sandy beach, the intense heat turns a small When lightning strikes a sandy beach, the intense heat turns a small portion of the sand into glass. These icicle-shaped pieces are called portion of the sand into glass. These icicle-shaped pieces are called "fulgurites.""fulgurites."

A flash of lightning appears to flicker because there are usually A flash of lightning appears to flicker because there are usually several bolts of lightning striking at almost the same time.several bolts of lightning striking at almost the same time.

Lightning can occur not only in thunderstorms, but also in Lightning can occur not only in thunderstorms, but also in snowstorms, sand storms, above erupting volcanoes and from nuclear snowstorms, sand storms, above erupting volcanoes and from nuclear explosions.explosions.

The temperature of a lightning flash is 15,000 to 60,000 degrees The temperature of a lightning flash is 15,000 to 60,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That's hotter than the surface of the sun (9,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That's hotter than the surface of the sun (9,000 degrees Fahrenheit). Fahrenheit).

A stroke of lightning moves about 62,000 miles per second--one-third A stroke of lightning moves about 62,000 miles per second--one-third the speed of light. the speed of light.

In the United States, the state of Florida and the Rocky Mountain In the United States, the state of Florida and the Rocky Mountain region get the most lightning. Worldwide, the countries near the region get the most lightning. Worldwide, the countries near the equator get hit the mostequator get hit the most

Thunderstruck!Thunderstruck! As lightning bolts are hotter than the surface of As lightning bolts are hotter than the surface of

the sun, lightning bolts suddenly heat the air the sun, lightning bolts suddenly heat the air around it to such an extreme, the air instantly around it to such an extreme, the air instantly expands, sending out a vibration or shock wave we expands, sending out a vibration or shock wave we hear as an explosion of sound. This is thunder. hear as an explosion of sound. This is thunder.

If you are near the stroke of lightning you’ll hear If you are near the stroke of lightning you’ll hear thunder as one sharp crack. When lightning is far thunder as one sharp crack. When lightning is far away, thunder sounds more like a low rumble as away, thunder sounds more like a low rumble as the sound waves reflect and echo off hillsides, the sound waves reflect and echo off hillsides, buildings and trees. Depending on wind direction buildings and trees. Depending on wind direction and temperature, you may hear thunder for up to and temperature, you may hear thunder for up to fifteen or twenty miles. fifteen or twenty miles.

Rain, Rain, Go AwayRain, Rain, Go Away

Rainfall in a thunderstorm can be Rainfall in a thunderstorm can be very heavy.  Cumulonimbus clouds very heavy.  Cumulonimbus clouds contain huge amounts of moisture.  contain huge amounts of moisture.  Several inches of rain can fall in a Several inches of rain can fall in a short time.  That's why short time.  That's why thunderstorms sometimes result in thunderstorms sometimes result in flooding.flooding.

  

Activities!Activities!

Take a winto-green mint and eat it Take a winto-green mint and eat it with your mouth open. Look at your with your mouth open. Look at your neighbors mouths to see “lightning”!neighbors mouths to see “lightning”!

Homemade LightningHomemade Lightning

1) Create a marshmallow creature and blow up a balloon

2) Rub a wool sweater on the balloon, alot!

3) Touch the paper clip end of the marshmallow creature to the balloon

Why does it work?Why does it work?

All that rubbing causes some electrons from All that rubbing causes some electrons from the wool to collect on the balloon, giving it the wool to collect on the balloon, giving it a negative charge. Holding the negative a negative charge. Holding the negative balloon near the neutral paper clip causes balloon near the neutral paper clip causes the electrons in the clip to move away (the the electrons in the clip to move away (the two negative forces repel), leaving the metal two negative forces repel), leaving the metal surface with a positive charge. When the surface with a positive charge. When the charge is great enough, the air between the charge is great enough, the air between the balloon and paper clip becomes charged, balloon and paper clip becomes charged, too, creating a path where the electrons can too, creating a path where the electrons can move--and letting the sparks fly move--and letting the sparks fly

StandardsStandards National Standard:Earth and Space Science-Weather changes from National Standard:Earth and Space Science-Weather changes from

day to day and over the seasons. Weather can be described by day to day and over the seasons. Weather can be described by measurable quantities, such as temperature, wind direction and measurable quantities, such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation.speed, and precipitation.

Standard #4:Earth Systems- Describe weather by measurable Standard #4:Earth Systems- Describe weather by measurable quantities such as temperature, wind direction, wind speed, quantities such as temperature, wind direction, wind speed, precipitation, and barometric pressure.precipitation, and barometric pressure.

Standard #7: Earth Systems- Describe the weather that Standard #7: Earth Systems- Describe the weather that accompanies cumulus, cumulonimbus, cirrus, and stratus clouds.accompanies cumulus, cumulonimbus, cirrus, and stratus clouds.

Standard #3: Doing Scientific Inquiry- Develop, design, and Standard #3: Doing Scientific Inquiry- Develop, design, and conduct safe, simple investigations or experiments to answer conduct safe, simple investigations or experiments to answer questionsquestions

Praxis C4: Monitoring students’ understanding of content through Praxis C4: Monitoring students’ understanding of content through a variety of means, providing feedback to students to assist a variety of means, providing feedback to students to assist learning, and adjusting learning activities as the situation learning, and adjusting learning activities as the situation demands.demands.

Praxis A4: Creating or selecting teaching methods, learning Praxis A4: Creating or selecting teaching methods, learning activities, and instructional materials or other resources that are activities, and instructional materials or other resources that are appropriate to the students and that are aligned with the goals of appropriate to the students and that are aligned with the goals of the lessonthe lesson

ResourcesResources "How to Be a Storm Spotter." "How to Be a Storm Spotter." Boat Safe KidsBoat Safe Kids. 12 July . 12 July

1999. Boatsafe.com. 1 Apr. 1999. Boatsafe.com. 1 Apr. 2007.<http://www.boatsafe.com/kids/weather1.htm>.2007.<http://www.boatsafe.com/kids/weather1.htm>.

Picoult, Jodi. "Homemade Lightning." Picoult, Jodi. "Homemade Lightning." Family FunFamily Fun. 15 . 15 Mar. 2007 Mar. 2007 <http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/learn/activities/featu<http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/learn/activities/feature/famf119weirdsci/famf119weirdsci3.html>. re/famf119weirdsci/famf119weirdsci3.html>.

Rasmussen, Carol. "Lightning: Just for Kids." 4 Apr. Rasmussen, Carol. "Lightning: Just for Kids." 4 Apr. 2000. UCAR Communications. 1 Apr. 2007 2000. UCAR Communications. 1 Apr. 2007 <http://www.ucar.edu/communications/infopack/lightnin<http://www.ucar.edu/communications/infopack/lightning/kids.html>. g/kids.html>.

Walker, Nick. "Thunderstorms." Walker, Nick. "Thunderstorms." Small Gate MediaSmall Gate Media. . 2005. 15 Mar. 2007 2005. 15 Mar. 2007 <http://www.wxdude.com/page5.html>. <http://www.wxdude.com/page5.html>.

Wicker, Crystal. "Lightning." Wicker, Crystal. "Lightning." Weather Wiz KidsWeather Wiz Kids. 2003. . 2003. Theindychannel.com. 1 Apr. 2007 Theindychannel.com. 1 Apr. 2007 <http://www.weatherwizkids.com/lightning1.htm>. <http://www.weatherwizkids.com/lightning1.htm>.