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Energy stored in a Thundercloud

Edexcel A-level PhysicsCapacitorsLesson 7 of 12

If the air is subjected to an electric field strength of more than 300kV-1 it ceases to be insulating. A thundercloud and the earth are similar to two parallel plates. The potential difference between the thundercloud and the earth depends on its height as V = Ed where d is its height above the ground. The energy stored by the thundercloud is equal to ½QV.

Diagram

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