What makes lightning strike in the shape it does?

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I know in circuits lightning always goes in the path of least resistance. Does that apply here? What determines the shape of lighting that you see in pictures?

In: Physics

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

It is indeed the path of least resistance.

Keep in mind that the air is full of particles, some of which are better conductors than others. So the shape lightning takes is the path of the most conductive particles down to the ground.

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