In the return stroke of a typical lightning bolt (see Fig. 25- 16), a current of 2.5 x 10^4 C/s flows for 20 us. How much charge is transferred in this event?

To find the charge transferred in the event, we use the formula:

[math]Q = I \times t[/math]

Given:

• [math]I = 2.5 \times 10^4 \, \text{C/s}[/math]
• [math]t = 20 \, \mu\text{s} = 20 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{s}[/math].

Substitute the values into the formula:

Q=(2.5×104 C/s)×(20×10−6 s)[math]Q = (2.5 \times 10^4 \, \text{C/s}) \times (20 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{s})[/math] 

[math]Q = 0.5 \, \text{C}[/math]

So, the charge transferred in this event is [math]0.5 \, \text{C}[/math].