Lightning behaves differently in water compared to air because water is a better conductor of electricity. When lightning strikes the surface of water, it can travel through the water, but its behavior and range can vary depending on several factors.
In general, lightning tends to travel along the path of least resistance, which means it will follow conductive materials or objects in the water. If there are ions or other conductive materials present in the water, such as dissolved salts or impurities, the lightning may be able to travel deeper. The depth to which lightning can penetrate water will depend on the electrical conductivity of the water and the intensity of the strike.
However, it's important to note that lightning dissipates rapidly in water due to the higher conductivity compared to air. The energy from a lightning strike can disperse quickly, especially over longer distances. This means that the range of lightning in water is typically limited, and it may not travel as far as it would in air.
To summarize, the exact distance that lightning can travel in water is difficult to determine precisely, as it depends on various factors such as the electrical conductivity of the water, the intensity of the lightning strike, and the presence of conductive materials. Lightning in water tends to dissipate rapidly, so its range is generally limited compared to its range in air.