With reference to the development of a thunderstorm, consider the following statements: 1. Air currents move downward while water droplets move upward. 2. Positive charges collect near the upper edges of the clouds. 3. Negative charges accumulate near the upper edges of the clouds. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is (b). Explanation Thunderstorms are characterized by the rapid movement of air and moisture, leading to the separation of electric charges within clouds. This phenomenon creates regions of positive and negative charge, eventually resulting in lightning discharges. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect. During the development of a thunderstorm, strong air currents move upward, while water droplets and ice particles move downward. The statement incorrectly reverses these directions. These vigorous opposing movements are responsible for the separation of charges. - Statement 2 is Correct. As a result of the charge separation process, positive charges accumulate near the upper edges of the clouds. - Statement 3 is Incorrect. Negative charges accumulate near the lower edges of the clouds, closer to the ground. The ground itself also accumulates a positive charge. Key Takeaway Charge Separation in Clouds: Upward air currents and downward-moving water droplets cause charge separation, resulting in positive charges at the top of the cloud and negative charges at the bottom.

NCERT Class 8 Science — Chapter 3: Some natural phenomena

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With reference to the development of a thunderstorm, consider the following statements:

Air currents move downward while water droplets move upward.
Positive charges collect near the upper edges of the clouds.
Negative charges accumulate near the upper edges of the clouds.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

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Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

Thunderstorms are characterized by the rapid movement of air and moisture, leading to the separation of electric charges within clouds. This phenomenon creates regions of positive and negative charge, eventually resulting in lightning discharges.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. During the development of a thunderstorm, strong air currents move upward, while water droplets and ice particles move downward. The statement incorrectly reverses these directions. These vigorous opposing movements are responsible for the separation of charges.
Statement 2 is Correct. As a result of the charge separation process, positive charges accumulate near the upper edges of the clouds.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. Negative charges accumulate near the lower edges of the clouds, closer to the ground. The ground itself also accumulates a positive charge.

Key Takeaway

Charge Separation in Clouds: Upward air currents and downward-moving water droplets cause charge separation, resulting in positive charges at the top of the cloud and negative charges at the bottom.

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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Correct Option

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. During the development of a thunderstorm, strong air currents move upward, while water droplets and ice particles move downward. The statement incorrectly reverses these directions. These vigorous opposing movements are responsible for the separation of charges.
Statement 2 is Correct. As a result of the charge separation process, positive charges accumulate near the upper edges of the clouds.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. Negative charges accumulate near the lower edges of the clouds, closer to the ground. The ground itself also accumulates a positive charge.