Why is lightning jagged?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Electricity follows ionized path
Electricity follows ionized path ✓ — Correct! Lightning zigzags because it takes the path of least resistance through air. Air isn't uniform—pockets of moisture, dust, and temperature create varying resistance. The bolt steps down in branches, exploring multiple routes until one connects to ground. This happens in milliseconds. The flash heats air to 30,000°C, creating thunder. Air is too variable for a straight line!
Clouds create zigzag pattern — Wrong. Cloud structure doesn't create zigzag—lightning follows ionized air paths of least resistance through atmospheric variations.
Magnetic fields bend lightning — Wrong. Earth's magnetic field too weak to noticeably bend lightning. Path determined by air resistance variations—following ionized channels.
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