Consider the following statements about the 'electric discharge' process during lightning: 1. Electric discharge cannot occur between two clouds. 2. It can occur between clouds and the earth. 3. It occurs when air becomes a conductor due to high voltage. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only. Explanation Lightning is a massive electrostatic discharge caused by the accumulation of electric charges within clouds. Air, which is normally an electrical insulator, undergoes dielectric breakdown when subjected to extremely high electric fields, allowing current to flow in the form of a spark or lightning bolt. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect. Electric discharge is not limited to interactions between a cloud and the earth. It frequently occurs between two different clouds (inter-cloud lightning) or even within different parts of the same cloud (intra-cloud lightning). - Statement 2 is Correct. Electric discharge can occur between a charged cloud and the earth. This happens when the negative charge at the bottom of a cloud induces a positive charge on the ground, creating a path for the discharge (cloud-to-ground lightning). - Statement 3 is Correct. Under normal conditions, air is a poor conductor of electricity. However, when the accumulation of charge becomes excessive, the potential difference (voltage) increases significantly. This creates a strong electric field that ionizes air molecules, turning the air into a conductor (plasma) and facilitating the flow of electric charge. Key Takeaway: Lightning is an atmospheric electric discharge that occurs when the electric field exceeds the dielectric strength of air. It can take place within a cloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.

NCERT Class 8 Science — Chapter 3: Some natural phenomena

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements about the 'electric discharge' process during lightning:

Electric discharge cannot occur between two clouds.
It can occur between clouds and the earth.
It occurs when air becomes a conductor due to high voltage.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Lightning is a massive electrostatic discharge caused by the accumulation of electric charges within clouds. Air, which is normally an electrical insulator, undergoes dielectric breakdown when subjected to extremely high electric fields, allowing current to flow in the form of a spark or lightning bolt.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. Electric discharge is not limited to interactions between a cloud and the earth. It frequently occurs between two different clouds (inter-cloud lightning) or even within different parts of the same cloud (intra-cloud lightning).
Statement 2 is Correct. Electric discharge can occur between a charged cloud and the earth. This happens when the negative charge at the bottom of a cloud induces a positive charge on the ground, creating a path for the discharge (cloud-to-ground lightning).
Statement 3 is Correct. Under normal conditions, air is a poor conductor of electricity. However, when the accumulation of charge becomes excessive, the potential difference (voltage) increases significantly. This creates a strong electric field that ionizes air molecules, turning the air into a conductor (plasma) and facilitating the flow of electric charge.

Key Takeaway:

Lightning is an atmospheric electric discharge that occurs when the electric field exceeds the dielectric strength of air. It can take place within a cloud, between clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.

Your note

More from Chapter 3: Some natural phenomena

With reference to the history of understanding electrical charges, consider the following statements: 1. The ancient Greeks knew that amber attracts light objects like hair when rubbed with fur. 2. Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning and sparks from clothes are two completely different phenomena. 3. The realization of the similarity between lightning and sparks from clothes took approximately two thousand years to occur. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the charging of objects by rubbing: 1. A plastic refill does not acquire any electric charge when rubbed with polythene. 2. When a plastic comb is rubbed with dry hair, both the comb and the hair get charged. 3. The electrical charges generated by rubbing are static in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the interaction between charged objects, consider the following statements: 1. A charged balloon repels another charged balloon. 2. A charged refill repels a charged balloon. 3. A charged refill attracts another charged refill. Which of the statements given above are correct?

easy

By convention, what is the nature of the electric charge acquired by a glass rod when it is rubbed with silk?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the nature of electric charges: 1. Charges of the same kind repel each other. 2. Charges of different kinds repel each other. 3. A charged glass rod attracts a charged plastic straw rubbed with polythene. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Keep practising Chapter 3: Some natural phenomena

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 8 Science chapters

The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. Electric discharge is not limited to interactions between a cloud and the earth. It frequently occurs between two different clouds (inter-cloud lightning) or even within different parts of the same cloud (intra-cloud lightning).
Statement 2 is Correct. Electric discharge can occur between a charged cloud and the earth. This happens when the negative charge at the bottom of a cloud induces a positive charge on the ground, creating a path for the discharge (cloud-to-ground lightning).
Statement 3 is Correct. Under normal conditions, air is a poor conductor of electricity. However, when the accumulation of charge becomes excessive, the potential difference (voltage) increases significantly. This creates a strong electric field that ionizes air molecules, turning the air into a conductor (plasma) and facilitating the flow of electric charge.

Key Takeaway: