In lightning storms, the potential difference between the

Chapter 23, Problem 70GP

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Problem 70GP

In lightning storms, the potential difference between the Earth and the bottom of the thunderclouds can be as high as 35,000,000 V. The bottoms of the thunderclouds are typically 1500 m above the Earth, and can have an area of 110 km2. Modeling the Earth-cloud system as a huge capacitor, calculate (a) the capacitance of the Earth-cloud system, (b) the charge stored in the “capacitor,” and (c) the energy stored in the “capacitor.”