During lightning strikes from a cloud to the ground, currents as high as 25000 A can occur and last for about 40.0 μs. How much charge is transferred from the cloud to the earth during such a strike?

1 C.

Explanation:

Charge: This can be defined as the product of current and time in an electric field. The S. I unit of current is Coulombs (C)

The formula of charge is given as,

Q = It ... Equation 1

Where Q = The amount of charge transferred from the cloud to the earth, I = current, t = time.

Given: I = 25000 A, t = 40.0 μs = 40*10⁻⁶ s.

Substitute into equation 1

Q = 25000 (40*10⁻⁶)

Q = 1000000 (10⁻⁶)

Q = 1 C.

Hence the charge transferred from the cloud = 1 C.