What is the typical voltage range of a lightning strike?

The voltage range of a lightning strike is typically high, spanning from about 10 million volts to 1 billion volts. This immense electrical potential is generated by the atmospheric conditions that create lightning, resulting in voltages that vastly exceed those found in typical electrical systems. The correct answer reflects this reality, highlighting the extreme power involved during a lightning strike.

Lightning can result from various mechanisms, such as the separation of charges within a storm cloud. The buildup of static electricity leads to a discharge when the potential difference becomes great enough. This discharge, which we observe as lightning, often reaches voltages that are measured in megavolts, validating the answer provided.

Other options do not accurately represent the voltage range of a lightning strike. The ranges indicated by those responses are either significantly lower than actual values or fall within typical electrical distributions seen in other contexts, such as household or industrial equipment. This contrast emphasizes the extraordinary power and voltage associated with lightning phenomena in nature.