Why is the bottom part of the cloud negatively charged and not the top part?

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Also, since electrons follow the path of least resistance, why do they strike the earth rather than just go to the top part of the cloud, which is positively charged?

In: Physics

Anonymous 0 Comments

>Why is the bottom part of the cloud negatively charged and not the top part?

Large drops or ice crystals are more likely to grab electrons from small drops or ice crystals, and the small drops and ice crystals are more likely to be blown to the top of the cloud.

>why do they strike the earth rather than just go to the top part of the cloud,

The earth is closer, though quite a lot of lightning goes upwards or cloud to cloud as well.