Honors Theses
Date of Award
1-1-2010
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
First Advisor
Thomas C. Marshall
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
LAUREN ELIZABETH VICKERS: Estimation ofCharge Transfers by Individual Lightning Return Strokes (Under the direction of Dr. Thomas Marshall)
The ultimate purpose ofthis project is to estimate the charge transfers of individual return strokes of cloud-to-ground lightning flashes. The data were collected using a sensor that measures and records changes in electric field during storms. The graphical displays ofthe these data show the field changes associated with the return strokes and other related events of a storm’s activity, specifically ofthe cloud-to-ground flashes relevant to this project. These data were used in collaboration with four other data acquisition systems to estimate charge locations within the cloud relative to the location ofthe sensor and estimate electric field values over a given total flash, which, after certain manipulations, led to the final charge per return stroke estimates. Three appropriately scaled flashes with easily identifiable return strokes were chosen for this analysis from a storm occurring on August 16, 2009. Results indicate a possible range of charge transferred per return stroke with relatively well defined upper and lower limits, rather than specific values. More precise estimations will require data collection with the use of a network ofsensors, rather than using a single sensor.
Recommended Citation
Vickers, Lauren Elizabeth, "Estimation of Charge Transfers by Individual Lightning Return Strokes" (2010). Honors Theses. 2796.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/2796
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