What causes electrical storms to release a smell?

**Gab250** · 17-12-10, 04:57 PM

Hey, as I'm sure many of you would have noticed, when there's about to be an electrical storm, or during an electrical storm, there is always a really NICE smell present (particularlly if you live in the bush) and I'm just wondering what it is we may be smelling here?

Gab

**mango** · 17-12-10, 05:04 PM

when the thunder and lightening get together its like a big fart, thats where the smell comes from.

**Drift** · 17-12-10, 05:07 PM

Ozone created by lightening is my guess.

**beer4life** · 17-12-10, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Drift

Ozone created by lightening is my guess.

Exactly.
Any HV or EHV spark will generate Ozone. Be aware that high concentrations can be poisonous.
Usually associated with TV EHT, HV power lines and electrical storms etc.

Ozone (O3), or trioxygen, is a triatomic , consisting of three . It is an of oxygen that is much less stable than the (O2). Ozone in the lower is an with harmful effects on the respiratory systems of animals and will burn sensitive plants; however, the in the upper atmosphere is beneficial, preventing potentially damaging from reaching the 's surface. Ozone is present in low concentrations throughout the . It has many industrial and consumer applications.

Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".

**freakee1** · 17-12-10, 06:01 PM

I like mango's theory

f

**Don Benosee** · 17-12-10, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Drift

Ozone created by lightening is my guess.

Yep, fact. Ozone helps remove a lot of smells, due to negative ions - that's why everything smells fresh and clean after a thunderstorm...

**mickstv** · 17-12-10, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Don Benosee

Yep, fact. Ozone helps remove a lot of smells, due to negative ions - that's why everything smells fresh and clean after a thunderstorm...

Hey Don, I don't think Ozone will help me with what I just released into the atmosphere.

Mickstv

**Drift** · 17-12-10, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by mickstv

Hey Don, I don't think Ozone will help me with what I just released into the atmosphere.

Mickstv

Actually, if you had a stray tesla coil or jacobs ladder just, you know, laying around, you could spark it up and your atmospheric expulsion would be nullified quite swiftly.

**mickstv** · 17-12-10, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Drift

Actually, if you had a stray tesla coil or jacobs ladder just, you know, laying around, you could spark it up and your atmospheric expulsion would be nullified quite swiftly.

Yeah and I would probably nullify myself at the same time. LOL

Mickstv

**LeroyPatrol** · 17-12-10, 06:46 PM

We always had to open the lab right up after playing with the tesla coil due to ozone! Our lab made the one at science works in spotswood.

Leroy

**Drift** · 17-12-10, 06:58 PM

A little off topic, but if you're into playing with HF HV or just HV in general, is quite interesting to follow.

**LeroyPatrol** · 17-12-10, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Drift

A little off topic, but if you're into playing with HF HV or just HV in general, is quite interesting to follow.

Gee that site brings back memories. We had a can crusher in the lab also. We'd cut the tops of with a can opener (magic can type opener) and make wine goblets from coke cans. A magnetic field is what crushed the stem to make the goblet.

Leroy

**trash** · 18-12-10, 08:01 PM

Negative Ion generators produce plenty of ozone.
While it is toxic, it would have to be a VERY big tesla coil to cause concern.

If you're not familiar with the smell of Ozone, stand beside a photocopier. They also produce lots of ozone.

The "fresh" smell after a thunderstorm probably isn't due to ozone. It is probably more due to particles removed from the air by the rain.

**officemanager** · 20-12-10, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by Gab250

Hey, as I'm sure many of you would have noticed, when there's about to be an electrical storm, or during an electrical storm, there is always a really NICE smell present (particularlly if you live in the bush) and I'm just wondering what it is we may be smelling here?

Gab

This is what produces your smell.
Lightning provides the intense energy needed to combine atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen into nitrates. The rain then carries these nitrates down to the earth's surface enriching the soil. Acting as a fertilizer, nitrates in an indirect way helps make the grass green.