Lightning energy model
A lightning energy model represents the total energy released during a single lightning discharge.
How big is it?
1 GJ of energy
Energy · defined energy model
A little perspective
About 4.63 times the energy of Electric car battery.
Electric car battery: An electric car battery stores energy to power an electric vehicle.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Lightning energy model
A deliberately rough 1 GJ discharge model. Real flashes vary by orders of magnitude.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked energy is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Electric car battery
A defined 60 kWh battery; usable capacity and losses vary.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked energy is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 1 GJ
For comparison, this page uses energy. This is labelled defined energy model: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value.
A deliberately rough 1 GJ discharge model. Real flashes vary by orders of magnitude.
The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Lightning energy model dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GJ | Not recorded | defined energy model |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible energy records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · EnergyElectric car battery216 MJAn electric car battery stores energy to power an electric vehicle.
Nearest higher value · EnergyFreight train at cruising speed1.23 GJThe kinetic energy of a freight train at cruising speed is the energy it has because of its motion along the tracks.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
More ways to see it
Curated comparisons
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
EnergyFood kilocalorie4.184 kJA food kilocalorie is the energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius, used to express food energy.
EnergyPhone battery54 kJA phone battery stores electrical energy to power a mobile phone.EnergyElectric car battery216 MJAn electric car battery stores energy to power an electric vehicle.
EnergyOne second of sunlight3.828 × 10¹¹ PJThe total energy emitted by the Sun in all directions over one second.EnergyFreight train at cruising speed1.23 GJThe kinetic energy of a freight train at cruising speed is the energy it has because of its motion along the tracks.
EnergyOne tonne TNT equivalent4.184 GJOne tonne of TNT equivalent is a conventional unit of energy, defined as 4.184 gigajoules rather than by the variable yield of a particular explosive sample.
EnergyA 10 kWh day36 MJThis is the amount of electrical energy consumed by a household over the course of one day.
EnergyOne litre of petrol34 MJOne litre of petrol is a standard quantity of liquid fuel used in combustion engines.