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Name: Thaddeus
Status: N/A
Age: 40s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2001-2002
Question:
Electrolysis is one method of making hydrogen. My question, is there hydrogen occurring naturally in a thunderstorm.

Replies:
Dear Tadd-

You are correct in your assumption that hydrogen is produced naturally in thunderstorms. Lightning flashes ionize both oxygen and nitrogen, and disassociate water molecules into their component parts. Some of these ionized particles combine to form ammonia solutions and weak nitrates, which are washed into the ground with the rain. This is a "natural fertilizer" for plants that is manufactured as a byproduct of thunderstorms.

Wendell Bechtold, meteorologist
Forecaster, National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office, St. Louis, MO

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