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HOW DOES LIGHTNING TAKES PLACE WHEN TWO CHARGED CLOUDS COME CLOSER?
 Clouds become charged through the separation of ions created by dust particles and ice crystals "rubbing" together as winds and updrafts circulate around. These ions generally accumulate in different portions of the cloud, and once they reach a level of intensity that allows for the breakdown of a very good insulator (air) they begin to reach down from the cloud, approaching earth or anything ground mounted. Clouds become charged through the separation of ions created by dust particles and ice crystals "rubbing" together as winds and updrafts circulate around. These ions generally accumulate in different portions of the cloud, and once they reach a level of intensity that allows for the breakdown of a very good insulator (air) they begin to reach down from the cloud, approaching earth or anything ground mounted. At this time, warm moist air rises quickly and forms large cumulonimbus clouds. Inside these tall dark clouds, air currents create strong up draughts and water droplets and ice particles rub against each other. As they bang together like this, it causes a build-up of static electricity. Lighter, positive charges gather at the top of the cloud and heavier, negatively-charged pieces of ice and water accumulate at the base. The ground below is also positively charged. Electricity flows between the charges and the difference between them increases. When the differences get big enough, they are neutralised and electricity is released as a flash of lightning.


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