[gurps] How much Mana in a lightning strike?

[Pauli Hakala]

Daiv Barr wrote:
>     I just want to make sure I have this right.
>     Bolt of lightning = 500 MegaJoules (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ 
> Lightning#How_it_is_formed)  = 138.5 MegaWattHour

This is where it goes wrong; 500 MegaJoules = 500 MegaWattSeconds
= 0.138 MegaWattHours = 138 KiloWattHours.

When converting wattseconds to watthours, you should divide
by 3600.

>     1megawatthour =1000 kilowatthours.
>     1 Kilowatthour =10 energy (GURPS Magic 4th Ed., page 179)
>     <blink>
>     1,385,000 energy in a lightning strike?

It would seem that the correct amount would be (only) 1388 points
of magical energy equivalency.

Depending on the setting, this could be one of the reasons why any
truly powerful mages would prefer to have high towers as their
homes..


-Pauli
-- 
"..Wings on my back, I got horns on my head. My fangs are sharp
and my eyes are red. Not quite an angel or the one that fell.."
-Lordi, Hard Rock Hallelujah, Eurovision 2006 Winner (292 points)