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Energy stored in a Thundercloud

If the air is subjected to an electric field strength of more than about 3 × 106Vm-1 (in dry air) 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.

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Specification: OCR Physics A (H556), A-level, 6.1.2 Energy. Topic: Capacitors.

Key terms in this lesson

magnetic field
A region of space in which a moving charge, current-carrying conductor or magnetic material experiences a force.
magnetic flux
The product of the magnetic flux density and the area through which the field lines pass at right angles.
magnetic flux linkage
The product of the magnetic flux through a coil and the number of turns on the coil.
Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction
The induced electromotive force in a circuit is equal to the rate of change of magnetic flux linkage through the circuit.

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