Electric vs. Lightning — What's the Difference?

The branch of physics that deals with electric charges and currents.

A sudden electrostatic discharge during a thunderstorm.

Energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor.

A powerful natural force associated with thunderstorms.

The physical phenomena arising from the behavior of electrons and protons.

A flash of light in the sky caused by an electrical discharge.

A form of energy observed in positive and negative forms.

The discharge that occurs between electrically charged regions of a cloud or between a cloud and the ground.

The supply of electric current to a house or other building for heating, lighting, or powering devices.

The occurrence of a natural electrical phenomenon with high voltage.

Of, worked by, charged with, or producing electricity

Lightning is a naturally occurring electrostatic discharge during which two electrically charged regions, both in the atmosphere or with one on the ground, temporarily equalize themselves, causing the instantaneous release of as much as one gigajoule of energy. This discharge may produce a wide range of electromagnetic radiation, from very hot plasma created by the rapid movement of electrons, to brilliant flashes of visible light in the form of black-body radiation.

Having or producing a sudden sense of thrilling excitement

An abrupt, discontinuous natural electric discharge in the atmosphere.

The system of electric wiring and parts in a house or vehicle

The visible flash of light accompanying such a discharge.

An electric train or other vehicle

(Informal) A sudden, usually improbable stroke of fortune.

Also e·lec·tri·cal (-trĭ-kəl) Of, relating to, producing, or operated by electricity

To discharge a flash of lightning.

Of or related to sound created or altered by an electrical or electronic device.

Moving or occurring with remarkable speed or suddenness.

Amplified by an electronic device

A flash of light produced by short-duration, high-voltage discharge of electricity within a cloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the earth.

Emotionally exciting; thrilling

A discharge of this kind.

Exceptionally tense; highly charged with emotion

(figuratively) Anything that moves very fast.

An electrically powered machine or vehicle

Rfv-sense|en}} {{obsolete form of lightening

Of, relating to, produced by, operated with, or utilising electricity; electrical.

Extremely fast or sudden; moving (as if) at the speed of lightning.

Of or relating to an electronic version of a musical instrument that has an acoustic equivalent.

To produce lightning.

Being emotionally thrilling; electrifying.

A discharge of atmospheric electricity, accompanied by a vivid flash of light, commonly from one cloud to another, sometimes from a cloud to the earth. The sound produced by the electricity in passing rapidly through the atmosphere constitutes thunder.

Electricity; the electricity supply.

The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment; brightening, as of the mental powers.

(informal) An electric powered version of something that was originally or is more commonly not electric.

Lightening.

An electric car.

Abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

An electric toothbrush.

The flash of light that accompanies an electric discharge in the atmosphere (or something resembling such a flash); can scintillate for a second or more

An electric typewriter.

(archaic) A substance or object which can be electrified; an insulator or non-conductor, like amber or glass.

(fencing) Fencing with the use of a body wire, box, and related equipment to detect when a weapon has touched an opponent.

Pertaining to electricity; consisting of, containing, derived from, or produced by, electricity; as, electric power or virtue; an electric jar; electric effects; an electric spark; an electric charge; an electric current; an electrical engineer.

Capable of occasioning the phenomena of electricity; as, an electric or electrical machine or substance; an electric generator.

Electrifying; thrilling; magnetic.

Powered by electricity; as, electrical appliances; an electric toothbrush; an electric automobile.

A nonconductor of electricity, as amber, glass, resin, etc., employed to excite or accumulate electricity.

A car that is powered by electricity

Using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity;

(of a situation) exceptionally tense;

Affected by emotion as if by electricity; thrilling;

While specific lightning strikes cannot be predicted, conditions conducive to storm development can be monitored.

Lightning is caused by the discharge of static electricity within a storm cloud, between storm clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.

Electricity is used in numerous ways, including lighting, heating, powering appliances, and electronic devices.

It is generated in power plants using various sources like coal, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, and wind.

If a building is struck by lightning, the electrical surge can cause damage unless mitigated by a lightning rod or similar protection.

While lightning is a form of electrical energy, harnessing it for regular electricity supply is impractical due to its unpredictable and destructive nature.

Extreme weather can disrupt power lines and generation, leading to outages.

Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge.

Electricity can be dangerous and must be used with proper safety measures to prevent accidents.

Lightning can cause power surges, forest fires, damage to structures, and is lethal to living beings.

It powers almost every aspect of modern society, from basic home needs to complex industrial processes.

Yes, in devices like batteries and capacitors for various uses.

Electricity is transmitted via power lines from power plants to consumers in homes and businesses.

Electricity is the general flow of electric charge used for power, while lightning is a natural, high-voltage discharge of static electricity during storms.

Devices designed to protect structures from lightning damage by directing the electrical discharge into the ground.