11 Jun
2009
11 Jun
'09
9 p.m.
Dave McGuire wrote:
On Jun 9, 2009, at 2:46 PM, Brent Hilpert wrote:
Without some numbers, I'm not entirely sure about that. Large plate
area but
also a rather thick dielectric and hence large plate separation. Yes, a
tremendous amount of energy is released in a lightning strike (aka
dielectric
breakdown) but that comes with a very high voltage. C=Q/V, energy is
also a
function of Q & V, large amount of energy does not necessarily imply
large C.
Hmm yes, I agree. I'd love to do a SPICE simulation of some sort of
oscillator using a cloud/earth capacitor. :)
I'm just grateful the dielectric is self-healing after breakover....
Warren
>> (incidentally, how come MF does not mean Mega
Farad)
> Since the largest capacitor I have ever heard of is 100 Farads, it
> really doesn't seem likely that there will be any confusion.
Would a "thunder cloud" be considered a capacitor?
Of course, with the other "plate" being the earth.
If so, how many MF would lightning take?
LOTS. Think plate area. :)