Lightning is five times hotter than the surface of the sun . . . But only for a few tenths of a second at a time. After this on Kids Earth and Sky. Lightning is only as wide as a pencil. But lightning is much thinner than it is long.
Lightning is surrounded by a glow called a corona.
This corona may be ten to twenty feet across. Meanwhile, the lightning itself is only about as big around as a pencil. Here's how it works. Then start counting . . . until you hear the sound of thunder. Kenneth, thanks for your question.