Q. The voltage of clouds is $4 \times 10^{6}V$ with respect to ground. In a lightning strike lasting 100ms, a charge of 4C is delivered to the ground. The power of lightning strike is
A) 160 MW
B) 80 MW
C) 20 MW
D) 500 kW
Explanation
(a) Work done in delivering q coulomb of charge from clouds to ground.
$W = Vq$
$= 4 \times 10^{6} \times 4 = 16 \times 10^{6}J$
The power of lightning strike is
$P = \frac{W}{t}$
$= \frac{16 \times 10^{6}}{0.1} = 160 \times 10^{6}W$
$= 160\ MW$
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.