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Electric potential difference represents the work needed per unit charge to move a charge between two locations in an electric field. In simpler terms, it is the 'push' that drives charges to move from one point to another, caused by differences in electric potential. The unit of electric potential difference is the volt (V). During a thunderstorm, this potential difference between a cloud and the ground can be extremely high, like the 1.3 x 10^8 volts we have in our example here.
The electric potential difference plays a crucial role in the exchange of electric potential energy. It is the reason electrons move in circuits and during electrical phenomena like lightning.

• If you have a large potential difference, you'll get a strong force acting on the charges.
• This force can do work or cause the charges to accelerate.

In our case, the high potential difference is responsible for moving the charge of an electron from the ground up to the cloud.

The electron charge is a fundamental property of matter, and in simple terms, it defines how an electron interacts within an electric field. Electrons carry a negative charge, which is quantified as approximately \( -1.6 \times 10^{-19} \text{C} \). This charge is what causes electrons to be attracted to positive charges and repelled by negative charges.
Understanding electron charge helps explain why energy calculations, like those we performed earlier, result in negative values when considering electron movement:

• A negative charge moving toward a higher potential results in a loss of electric potential energy.
• This loss is represented by a negative change in potential energy.

The electron's charge is constant and doesn't change. However, the energy associated with this charge can vary depending on the potential difference it experiences as it moves.

An electric field is a region around a charged object where forces are exerted on other charges. You can imagine it like a field of force radiating from a single point. The strength and direction of an electric field can be described mathematically, and its presence affects charges placed within it.
The electric field between the cloud and the ground during a thunderstorm is significant. It results from the large electric potential difference and affects how electrons travel from one location to another:

• An electric field points in the direction that a positive charge would move.
• For negative charges, like electrons, they will move in the opposite direction to the field lines.

The electric field directly influences the motion of charges. A stronger field results in greater forces, causing charges to move more energetically. During a thunderstorm, this field helps guide the electrons from the cloud to the ground or vice versa, depending on the situation.