Every electrical pole on the planet, and many (all?) residential electrical networks are connected to the Earth. Also, every building has a lightning rod that's meant to route lightning strikes into the ground.
It is my understanding that nothing in the Universe can just disappear, energy simply changes location or state.
What exactly happens to the electrons that get routed to the ground when they get there? Do they accumulate in it, or are they dissipated and if yes, how?
Best Answer
The earth, being so large, can easily accept or supply excess charge. While lightning is constantly charging the Earth, the Earth is constantly discharging to the atmosphere so that the Earth remains electrically neutral.
The majority of the energy of the lightning discharge is dissipated in the air as it travels from the clouds to the ground through the air. The remainder is dissipated in the ground in the area surrounding the location of the strike, over a fairly short distance.
Hope this helps.