Mechanical Foree of Lightning

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


It has been proved on one occasion that a flash of lightning must have struck a church —St. George's, Leicester, England,—with a force equal to more than 12,000 horse power. A single horse power is equal to raising 32,000 pounds one foot high in one minute. The force of the lightning, therefore, was equal to 384,000,000 pounds raised one foot high in one minute. This is equal to the power of twelve of our hlrgest steamers, having 24 engines of 500 horse power each.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 13 Issue 38This article was published with the title “Mechanical Foree of Lightning” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 13 No. 38 (), p. 301
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican05291858-301f

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe