image credit: NOAA Photo Library, NOAA Central Library; OAR/ERL/National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL); image source; larger image

NSSL Lightning Information: Q&A about Lightning

What is lightning? What causes thunder? This site from the NOAA answers these basic questions and more.

(This feature was updated on August 16, 2013.)

Login to Comment on this Item

Electroscope

Build your own electroscope, a device that detects electric charge. All you need is modeling clay and a few items from around the house!

Advanced Search

Browse Physics To Go by Topic.

image credit: NEETRAC, Georgia Institute of Technology, Gary Meek; image source; larger image

Research Helps Protect Against Lightning Damage

Researchers at Georgia Tech hurl artificial lightning at electrical equipment as part of their work to better protect utilities against lightning strikes. Read more about their research here.

Benjamin Franklin and Electrostatics

Benjamin Franklin's work with electricity was not limited to flying a kite in the middle of a storm. Find out what else he did to contribute to our knowledge of electricity at this page from Tufts University, which includes his writings and experiments.