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How to Make Realistic-Looking Lightning

Lightning is caused by a gigantic buildup of electrons that are discharged during a lightning storm between clouds and the ground, or between clouds. The conditions that are required to create lightning are known, but the reasons why lightning is formed at certain times and in specific locations is still debated by scientists at the time of publication, the National Severe Storms Laboratory reports. You can make realistic looking lightening using Styrofoam to pile up electrons from human hair and passing the electrons through a finger and an aluminum object.

Things You'll Need

  • Scissors
  • Styrofoam tray
  • Tape
  • Aluminum pie tin
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Instructions

  1. Lightning

    • 1

      Cut the corner off a Styrofoam tray at a right angle. Next, tape the small piece of Styrofoam to the aluminum pie tin to form a small handle for moving the tin.

    • 2

      Rub the Styrofoam tray on your head of hair at high speed. Now place the Styrofoam tray upside on the floor or on a table. Pick up the pie tin using the handle and drop it onto the Styrofoam tray from around 1-foot above the pie tin.

    • 3

      Slowly move a finger towards the edge of the pie tin. A spark resembling lightning should appear between the finger and the pie tin. Avoid touching the Styrofoam or no more sparks will occur between the pie tin and the finger.

    • 4

      Lift the pie tin using the Styrofoam handle and again touch the edge of the tin slowly. Another spark should appear between the finger and the pie tin.

    • 5

      Repeat the process of dropping the pie tin onto the Styrofoam tray and touching it before lifting the tin off the tray. Sparks should appear each time the tin is touched until no electrons are available for creating lightning.

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