Q. The voltage of clouds is $4 \times 10^{6}\ V$ with respect to ground. In a light ning strike lasting 100 ms, a charge of 4 C 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 lighting 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.