Lightning is a bright flash of electricity in the sky.
闪电是天空中明亮的电光。
It happens during thunderstorms.
它通常发生在雷暴天气。
Lightning is created inside clouds.
闪电是在云层内部形成的。
Clouds are made of tiny water droplets and ice particles.
云是由微小的水滴和冰粒组成的。
When these droplets and ice particles move and collide, they create electric charges.
当这些水滴和冰粒相互移动和碰撞时，就会产生电荷。
Some parts of the cloud become positively charged.
云层的某些部分带有正电荷。
Other parts become negatively charged.
而其他部分则带有负电荷。
When the difference between these charges becomes too big, the cloud releases electricity.
当这些电荷之间的差距变得太大时，云层就会释放电能。
This sudden release of electricity is called lightning.
这种突然释放的电能就形成了闪电。
Lightning can go from one cloud to another.
闪电可以在云层之间传递。
It can also travel from a cloud to the ground.
它也可以从云层传到地面。
When lightning strikes the ground, it looks like a bright flash.
当闪电击中地面时，会出现一道耀眼的光芒。
Lightning is very hot—hotter than the surface of the Sun!
闪电的温度非常高，比太阳表面还要热！
The heat makes the air around it expand quickly.
这种高温会让周围的空气迅速膨胀。
This causes the loud sound we call thunder.
这种膨胀会产生巨大的声音，我们称之为雷声。
Thunder always comes after lightning.
雷声总是在闪电之后出现。
This is because light travels faster than sound.
这是因为光的传播速度比声音快。
Lightning can be dangerous, so people should stay indoors during storms.
闪电很危险，所以雷雨天气时，人们应该待在室内。
Now you know that lightning is created by electric charges in clouds!
现在你知道闪电是由云层中的电荷形成的了！
