In the world of science experiments, few are as mesmerizing and perplexing as Kelvin’s Thunderstorm—a phenomenon that can generate 5,000 to 10,000 volts of electricity using nothing but running water and metal mesh.
At first glance, it sounds like the stuff of science fiction.
But as Derek Muller of Veritasium explains in his latest episode, this simple setup can actually produce real electrical sparks—no complicated machinery required.
Imagine this: you’re standing in front of a system that consists of nothing more than two streams of water, flowing through metal mesh.
And yet, that seemingly ordinary process generates an electrical charge strong enough to create visible sparks.
If you’ve ever seen lightning or heard the crackle of static electricity, you’ve experienced a form of this phenomenon—but here, the water itself becomes a medium for electrical energy, just like a giant natural battery.
The Fascinating Physics Behind Kelvin’s Thunderstorm
The science behind Kelvin’s Thunderstorm might sound deceptively simple, but it’s a fantastic demonstration of how water behaves under the right conditions.
Derek explains that water, in its natural state, is generally neutral in charge.
Its molecules are balanced, with positive and negative charges canceling each other out. But things get interesting when the water flows through metal mesh.
Water’s flow creates a natural variation in its charge.
Occasionally, one side of the water stream will become more negatively charged than the other, and this imbalance sets the stage for the electrical sparks.
The setup involves two streams of water passing through separate metal meshes.
One stream becomes negatively charged, and the other becomes positively charged.
This difference in charge builds up until the electrical potential is high enough for the charges to “jump” across the gap—resulting in a spark.
What’s even more impressive is how the process functions in a feedback loop.
The mesh on one side of the system is connected to a top ring on the opposite side.
So, if one side’s mesh becomes negatively charged, the ring on the other side becomes negatively charged as well.
This negatively charged ring then attracts positively charged water molecules, making the whole stream on the opposite side positive.
The result?
Two streams—one positively charged, one negatively charged—that continue to build up charge until a spark occurs.
Though it sounds like a small-scale thunderstorm, the process repeats in a cycle, resetting itself after each discharge.
Why Aren’t We Harnessing This for Energy?
Kelvin’s Thunderstorm is undeniably cool, but there’s a key reason why we’re not using this simple phenomenon to generate power on a larger scale: it’s just not practical.
Even though the experiment can generate sparks with voltages between 5,000 and 10,000 volts, the actual amount of electricity produced isn’t nearly enough to power anything of significance.
While the setup is undeniably impressive, the amount of energy is far too small to serve as a sustainable energy source—especially compared to the vast energy needs of modern society.
This is one of those experiments that is more about demonstrating an interesting concept than providing a viable solution to the world’s energy crisis.
But that doesn’t make it any less awe-inspiring.
Exploring the Limits of the Kelvin’s Thunderstorm
So, if this experiment can generate sparks, why don’t we see it being used every time it rains?
The answer lies in the nature of the system itself.
While rainwater is free and plentiful, the amount of charge generated by the falling water is simply too low to create a substantial electrical output.
Even in a setup as clever as Kelvin’s Thunderstorm, the energy generated is minimal.
However, the simplicity and ingenuity behind the experiment still highlight a crucial point: there are plenty of untapped opportunities in the natural world for generating small-scale electrical phenomena.
It may not be practical on a large scale, but the basic principles of this experiment could inspire new ways of thinking about energy production and the potential for harnessing natural processes in innovative ways.
Derek Muller’s recent Veritasium video provides a deeper dive into the physics of Kelvin’s Thunderstorm and how exactly it works.
It’s a great resource if you’re curious to learn more about this experiment, and it might even inspire you to try your hand at replicating it at home (if you happen to have the right equipment).
But if you were hoping this experiment could charge your phone in a pinch, you might want to think again.
In fact, even though the voltage is high, the process is incredibly slow.
You’d be waiting quite a while for a phone charge—assuming, of course, that you have the patience to let it build up!
The Connection to Lord Kelvin and Beyond
Interestingly, Kelvin’s Thunderstorm is named after Lord Kelvin, a pioneering physicist who first noticed the phenomenon over a century ago.
His work in the field of thermodynamics and electricity set the stage for numerous groundbreaking discoveries in the understanding of how energy behaves.
While Lord Kelvin didn’t set out to create an electricity generator, his observations laid the foundation for what we now recognize as a fascinating natural phenomenon.
Today, scientists like Derek Muller continue to explore these old concepts in new ways, blending them with modern technology to shed light on how even the most basic elements of our world can produce incredible results.
Could Kelvin’s Thunderstorm Ever Become a Real Energy Source?
The reality is that the system is too limited in scope to become a mainstream energy solution. In fact, even the most basic practical application, such as charging small devices, would take far too long to be viable.
Despite this, the experiment is a striking reminder of how much we still don’t fully understand about the natural world and the countless ways energy can manifest in forms that we don’t immediately recognize.
With the increasing focus on sustainable energy and innovative methods for producing electricity, Kelvin’s Thunderstorm serves as a reminder that, sometimes, the best ideas are the simplest ones.
But that doesn’t mean that every simple idea will revolutionize the energy industry.
Still, it’s worth considering how fundamental principles of physics, like those demonstrated in Kelvin’s Thunderstorm, could spark (pun intended) new ideas for harnessing electricity in ways we haven’t yet explored.
What Can We Learn From Kelvin’s Thunderstorm?
At its core, Kelvin’s Thunderstorm is a perfect example of how an old scientific observation can still spark curiosity and innovation today.
The experiment isn’t just about generating electricity—it’s about understanding the subtle interactions between water, charge, and metal that allow these dramatic sparks to form.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the key to discovering something truly game-changing lies in the seemingly simple and the unexpected.
If nothing else, Kelvin’s Thunderstorm is a perfect example of the beauty of science.
In a world where complex machinery often feels like the only way to make things work, this simple setup proves that sometimes, all it takes is a bit of water and metal to create a spectacle of electrical energy.
The Beauty of Simplicity in Science
While Kelvin’s Thunderstorm isn’t going to replace wind or solar energy anytime soon, it’s an incredibly compelling and fun experiment to replicate—and a powerful demonstration of how nature’s most basic principles can result in awe-inspiring phenomena.
It also reminds us that, even with the advancement of modern technology, sometimes the best way to explore new ideas is to look back at the simpler, earlier experiments that paved the way.
If you’re interested in learning more about Kelvin’s Thunderstorm, be sure to check out Derek Muller’s full Veritasium episode.
It’s a detailed and entertaining breakdown of the experiment, complete with all the physics you need to appreciate just how remarkable—and how much fun—this simple, water-powered spark generator really is.
Now, about that phone charger… you might want to stick with a power outlet for now!
