Page 190 - (DK) I Can’t Believe It! 2

188
How much

electricity is in a

lightning bolt?

Physicists estimate that Making toast from lightning

more than 5 billion joules bolts is an impossible dream
because the energy cannot
be harnessed. No one can
(J) of energy are released strike, and the energy cannot
predict where lightning will
in a lightning bolt— into the safe “alternating
be stored and converted
enough to meet the current” used in houses.
monthly needs

of a household.

THUNDERSTORMS

Much of the energy in lightning
is released as heat. This
warms up the surrounding air,
which expands quickly and
creates the sound of thunder.

US_188-189_309600_Electricity.indd 188 19/12/17 2:37 pm