# A typical lightning bolt may last for 0.187 s and transfer 1.03 x 1020 electrons. Calculate the...

## Question:

A typical lightning bolt may last for 0.187 s and transfer {eq}1.03 \times 10^{20} {/eq} electrons. Calculate the average current (in A) in the lightning bolt.

## Electrical Current:

Electrical current involves the flow of charge. It is defined as the rate of flow of charge. The direction of electrical current is the direction in which positive charge would flow. Current has S.I unit called ampere, with symbol, A.

## Answer and Explanation:

The average current, {eq}I_{ave} {/eq} is the amount of charge, {eq}\Delta Q {/eq} passing per time interval, {eq}\Delta t {/eq}, that is,

{eq}\begin{align*} I_{ave} &= \frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t}\\ &= \frac{\left (1.03 \times 10^{20} \times 1.602 \times 10^{-19} \right )\ \rm{C}}{0.187\ \rm{s}}\ & \text{[One electron carries a charge of}\ 1.602 \times 10^{-19}\ \rm{C}\ \text{]} \\ &= 88.2385\ \rm{A}\\ &= 88.2\ \rm{A}\\ \end{align*} {/eq}

The average current in the lightning bolt is {eq}88.2\ \rm{A} {/eq}.

What is Electric Current? - Definition, Unit & Types

from CLEP Natural Sciences: Study Guide & Test Prep

Chapter 6 / Lesson 7
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