Question 1

What is a lightning bolt?

Accepted Answer

A lightning bolt is a big flash of electricity in the sky. It happens during a storm and can be very bright!

Question 2

How is a lightning bolt formed?

Accepted Answer

Lightning forms when there are lots of tiny bits of ice inside a storm cloud that bump into each other and make electricity. The cloud gets so much electricity that it needs to let it go in a bolt of lightning.

Question 3

Why does lightning happen during storms?

Accepted Answer

Storms have strong winds and lots of moving air that help clouds make electricity. That electricity turns into lightning.

Question 4

Why is lightning so bright?

Accepted Answer

Lightning is bright because it's a huge spark of electricity moving very fast. It lights up the sky like a giant camera flash.

Question 5

Can lightning strike the same place twice?

Accepted Answer

Yes, lightning can strike the same place twice. Tall buildings and trees are often hit repeatedly because they're high up.

Question 6

Why do we hear thunder after we see lightning?

Accepted Answer

Thunder happens because lightning heats up the air really fast and makes a big noise. We see lightning first because light travels faster than sound.

Question 7

How far away is the lightning when we see it?

Accepted Answer

You can count the seconds between the lightning and the thunder to know how far it is. Every five seconds means it's about one mile away.

Question 8

Is it safe to be outside during a lightning storm?

Accepted Answer

No, it is not safe to be outside during a lightning storm. You should go inside a building or a car to stay safe.

Question 9

Can lightning strike water?

Accepted Answer

Yes, lightning can strike water, including pools, lakes, and oceans. It's important to get out of water if you see a storm.

Question 10

Why does lightning sometimes make trees explode?

Accepted Answer

Lightning can make trees explode because it travels through the tree and heats up the water inside. This makes the water turn into steam and burst the tree open.

Question 11

What colors can lightning be?

Accepted Answer

Lightning is usually white or blue, but it can also look yellow, pink, or even purple. The color can change depending on what's in the air.

Question 12

Why doesn't lightning always go straight down?

Accepted Answer

Lightning doesn't always go straight down because it follows the path with the least resistance, zipping through the air to find the quickest route to the ground.

Question 13

How hot is lightning?

Accepted Answer

Lightning is super hot—it's hotter than the surface of the sun! It can make the air around it almost 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Question 14

Why don't we get lightning every time it rains?

Accepted Answer

We don't get lightning every time it rains because not all rain clouds have the right conditions to make electricity. Only certain types of clouds, called thunderclouds, make lightning.

Question 15

What is a lightning rod?

Accepted Answer

A lightning rod is a metal pole placed on top of buildings. It safely directs lightning to the ground so it doesn't damage the building.

Question 16

Can animals be affected by lightning?

Accepted Answer

Yes, animals can be affected by lightning, too. It's important for them to find shelter during a storm to stay safe, just like people.

Question 17

Why do storms with lightning sometimes cause fires?

Accepted Answer

Lightning can cause fires if it hits something that can burn easily, like a tree or dry grass. The huge amount of heat from the lightning can start a fire.

Question 18

Can airplanes be struck by lightning?

Accepted Answer

Yes, airplanes can be struck by lightning, but they are built to handle it. They have special designs to keep everyone safe inside.

Question 19

How long does a lightning bolt last?

Accepted Answer

A lightning bolt is very quick and only lasts for a tiny fraction of a second. It's super fast, much faster than a blink!

Question 20

Why do we have different types of lightning?

Accepted Answer

There are different types of lightning because they happen in different parts of a storm. Some stay in the clouds, and others reach down to the ground.

The Journey of a Lightning Bolt - 20 FAQs Explained Simply