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Question 2e) A storm cloud has -25 nC built up in a 1.0 km diameter spherical ...

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Question 2e)

A

storm cloud has -25 nC built up in a 1.0 km diameter spherical charge

centre located 10 km above the ground. This charge centre attracts a

similar amount of positive charge that is spread on the ground below the

ground.

The

charge centre and ground act as a charged capacitor, with a potential

difference of

V. In a lightning strike, the large

electric field between these two charged regions (acting as electrodes)

may ionise the air resulting in a conducting path between the cloud and

ground, through which the 'capacitor' discharges.

Image failed to load: A storm cloud with a spherical (negative) charge centre of 1km diameter sits 10 km above the ground which has positive signs.
e

If the cloud transfers all of its charge to the ground via several rapid lightning flashes lasting a total of 1 s, what is the average power?

Give your answer to 0 decimal places in Gigawatt. Write

your answer without units i.e., 12 GW as 12.

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