Thunder also has a very specific smell, have you smelled it yet?

Who in the world did not see how thunder happened. But did you know that this wonderful natural phenomenon also produced an extremely characteristic smell?

Perhaps many people do not know, thunder can create a very characteristic scent. It's quite subtle and gentle, but special, and you may have smelled it without knowing it.

The origin of this scent is?

When lightning is formed, sparks will heat the air at a temperature you can't imagine - about 30,000 degrees Celsius. The speed of heating is so fast that the air expands abruptly, creating an explosion. - It is thunder.

These are the basic physical knowledge of lightning. But considering the molecular perspective, when thunder occurs, the chemicals start reacting to each other at lightning speeds, leaving a very characteristic scent.

Basically, air consists of 78% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and 2% other gases. Both of these gases exist in molecular form (N2 and O2). When lightning flashes, the resulting temperature separates each link between molecules, and we have a floating group of N and O atoms.

Most of this number will stick together when the temperature drops, but there are still a few groups that are turned upside down. For example, O atoms will combine with the O2 molecule, producing O3 (ozone gas). And if the ozone is created at a sufficient density, it will leave a very characteristic scent that you will recognize at the time the lightning begins to hit.

What is that scent?

Do you remember the scent that often rises when it's about to rain? Some people compare the smell of clay like the chlorine smell found in swimming pools, or with some cleaning chemicals still commonly used. The reason is because ozone also has a bactericidal effect, and it shows us a more clean, relaxed feeling.

Even if the rain doesn't have a lot of lightning, there is still a certain amount of ozone and NO2 sent by the wind. The problem is that the human nose is extremely sensitive to the ability to detect ozone in the air, although the density is only about . 10 parts per billion. For comparison, it is like you scoop around 3 teaspoons of water pouring into an Olympic standard swimming pool.

That's it. The next time there is a storm, open the door and take a deep breath. You are smelling clay!