With reference to a Lightning Conductor, consider the following statements: 1. It is a wooden rod installed in the walls of a building. 2. One end of the rod is kept out in the air and the other is buried deep in the ground. 3. It provides an easy route for the transfer of electric charge to the ground. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only. Explanation A lightning conductor is a safety device installed on tall buildings to protect them from the damaging effects of lightning. It operates on the principle of providing a low-resistance path for the heavy electric discharge from the clouds to flow harmlessly into the earth. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect: A lightning conductor must be made of a material that conducts electricity efficiently. Wood is an electrical insulator and cannot conduct the massive electric charge associated with lightning. Therefore, the device consists of a metallic rod (usually made of copper or iron), not a wooden one. - Statement 2 is Correct: The installation of a lightning conductor involves placing a metallic rod along the outer wall of the building. One end of the rod, often pointed, is kept exposed in the air above the highest point of the building. The other end is buried deep in the ground, connected to a metal plate, to ensure effective earthing. - Statement 3 is Correct: The primary function of the metallic rod is to provide a direct and easy route (low resistance path) for the transfer of electric charge from the lightning strike to the ground. This prevents the electric current from passing through the building's structure, thereby avoiding structural damage or fire. Key Takeaway: A lightning conductor is a metallic rod that protects buildings by conducting the high electric charge of a lightning strike directly to the ground via a low-resistance path.

NCERT Class 8 Science — Chapter 3: Some natural phenomena

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With reference to a Lightning Conductor, consider the following statements:

It is a wooden rod installed in the walls of a building.
One end of the rod is kept out in the air and the other is buried deep in the ground.
It provides an easy route for the transfer of electric charge to the ground.

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

A lightning conductor is a safety device installed on tall buildings to protect them from the damaging effects of lightning. It operates on the principle of providing a low-resistance path for the heavy electric discharge from the clouds to flow harmlessly into the earth.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect: A lightning conductor must be made of a material that conducts electricity efficiently. Wood is an electrical insulator and cannot conduct the massive electric charge associated with lightning. Therefore, the device consists of a metallic rod (usually made of copper or iron), not a wooden one.
Statement 2 is Correct: The installation of a lightning conductor involves placing a metallic rod along the outer wall of the building. One end of the rod, often pointed, is kept exposed in the air above the highest point of the building. The other end is buried deep in the ground, connected to a metal plate, to ensure effective earthing.
Statement 3 is Correct: The primary function of the metallic rod is to provide a direct and easy route (low resistance path) for the transfer of electric charge from the lightning strike to the ground. This prevents the electric current from passing through the building's structure, thereby avoiding structural damage or fire.

Key Takeaway:
A lightning conductor is a metallic rod that protects buildings by conducting the high electric charge of a lightning strike directly to the ground via a low-resistance path.

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?

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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?

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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?

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Keep practising Chapter 3: Some natural phenomena

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

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect: A lightning conductor must be made of a material that conducts electricity efficiently. Wood is an electrical insulator and cannot conduct the massive electric charge associated with lightning. Therefore, the device consists of a metallic rod (usually made of copper or iron), not a wooden one.
Statement 2 is Correct: The installation of a lightning conductor involves placing a metallic rod along the outer wall of the building. One end of the rod, often pointed, is kept exposed in the air above the highest point of the building. The other end is buried deep in the ground, connected to a metal plate, to ensure effective earthing.
Statement 3 is Correct: The primary function of the metallic rod is to provide a direct and easy route (low resistance path) for the transfer of electric charge from the lightning strike to the ground. This prevents the electric current from passing through the building's structure, thereby avoiding structural damage or fire.

Key Takeaway:
A lightning conductor is a metallic rod that protects buildings by conducting the high electric charge of a lightning strike directly to the ground via a low-resistance path.