Townsend discharge

Townsend discharge is when electricity is sent through a gas, like when lightning goes through the air. Electricity is like a tiny, fast-moving invisible river of energy which moves through metal wires. When you turn on a light switch, electricity flows through a metal wire and the wire gets hot, then the light turns on. Townsend discharge is when very, very small amounts of electricity flow through a gas like air or water vapor, like a river flowing on air or water. This causes bright lights and loud noises, like a thunderstorm!