How does lightning work to create the spectacular displays we see in the sky during a thunderstorm?

Lightning is a discharge of electricity that occurs between clouds or between a cloud and the ground during a thunderstorm. When the electrical charge in the atmosphere becomes unbalanced, lightning strikes to equalize the charge. This rapid movement of electrical charges creates a bright flash of light and the accompanying thunder. The heat generated by the lightning causes the air to rapidly expand and contract, creating the booming sound we hear as thunder. The combination of the bright light and loud sound creates the spectacular displays we see in the sky during a thunderstorm.