w_tom wrote:
To make it easier for some to understand, I should have first noted
that lightning is an impulse. The classic current transient is an 8/20
microsecond impulse. That impulse is a summation of frequency
components; AC waveforms at various radio frequencies. This is basic
knowledge to those with electrical engineering training AND those with
math backgrounds that include Fourier Series.

Lightning obviously is not DC. If it was, then only wire resistance
would be relevant. An impulse due to lightning contains numeorus AC
sine waves.


That a pulse is susceptible to Fourier analysis does not make it
"contain numerous AC sine waves."

Much of that energy is in the 100 kilohertz and Megahertz
range. These obviously are not DC. Wire resistance has very little
relevance. Wire impedance is a dominant parameter due to sine waves in
an 8/20 usec impulse called CG lightning. Wire impedance would be
completely irrelevant if lightning were DC.

Nothing new about this. First year electrical engineers even study
impulse response. Those who have a problem with this concept will have
difficulty understanding the electrical nature of lightning. Clearly
lightning is not DC because lightning current is an impulse in the
microsecond range.
CJT wrote:
w_tom wrote:
BTW, lightning is not DC. Lightning is AC current - mostly in radio
frequency ranges. This AC nature is why longer conductors, sufficient
for 60 Hz AC electric power, can be poor conductors to lightning; its
energy in higher frequencies. This AC nature of lightning is why so
many humans think lightning is capricious.
Huh? Cite?



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