AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Atmospheric nitrogen fixation occurs when the electrical discharge of lightning combines nitrogen and oxygen present in the atmosphere.

Detailed explanation-2: -When lightning strikes, it tears apart the bond in airborne nitrogen molecules. Those free nitrogen atoms then have the chance to combine with oxygen molecules to form a compound called nitrates. Once formed, the nitrates are carried down to the ground by rainfall.

Detailed explanation-3: -As lightning blasts through the atmosphere, it breaks apart nitrogen molecules. This allows them to combine with oxygen in the air to form nitrogen oxides. The rain dissolves these into nitrates, then carries them to Earth and into the soil.

Detailed explanation-4: -The enormous energy of lightning breaks nitrogen molecules and enables their atoms to combine with oxygen in the air forming nitrogen oxides. These dissolve in rain, forming nitrates, that are carried to the earth. Atmospheric nitrogen fixation probably contributes some 5– 8% of the total nitrogen fixed.

Detailed explanation-5: -Each lightning strike carries electrical energy. The strong bonds in the nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere can be broken by it since it is so strong. Lightning, therefore, adds nitrogen to the soil by dissolving nitrates during precipitation. In turn, this benefits plants.