With reference to the electric nature of lightning, consider the following statements: 1. It is caused by the accumulation of charges in clouds. 2. The process involves electric discharge only between two clouds, never with the earth. 3. Air, which is normally a poor conductor, conducts electricity during this process. Which of the statements given above are correct?

The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only. Explanation Lightning is a massive electrostatic discharge caused by the imbalance of electric charges within the atmosphere. It involves the buildup of static electricity and the subsequent breakdown of the insulating properties of air. - Statement 1 is Correct: Lightning is caused by the accumulation of electric charges in clouds. During the development of a thunderstorm, air currents move upward while water droplets move downward. This friction and interaction cause a separation of charges, typically resulting in positive charges accumulating near the upper edges of the clouds and negative charges accumulating near the lower edges. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The process of electric discharge is not limited to interactions between two clouds. Discharge can occur: - Within a single cloud (Intra-cloud). - Between two different clouds (Inter-cloud). - Between a cloud and the ground (Cloud-to-ground). Therefore, lightning frequently involves discharge with the earth. - Statement 3 is Correct: Under normal conditions, air is a poor conductor of electricity (an insulator). However, when the magnitude of the accumulated charge becomes very large, the electric field becomes strong enough (approximately \(3 \times 10^6\) V/m) to strip electrons from air molecules. This process, known as dielectric breakdown, turns the air into a conductive plasma, allowing electricity to flow as lightning. Key Takeaway: Lightning is an electric discharge resulting from charge accumulation in clouds. It occurs when the electric field exceeds the dielectric strength of air, causing normally insulating air to conduct electricity between clouds or between a cloud and the earth.

NCERT Class 8 Science — Chapter 3: Some natural phenomena

mcqmedium

With reference to the electric nature of lightning, consider the following statements:

It is caused by the accumulation of charges in clouds.
The process involves electric discharge only between two clouds, never with the earth.
Air, which is normally a poor conductor, conducts electricity during this process.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

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

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Lightning is a massive electrostatic discharge caused by the imbalance of electric charges within the atmosphere. It involves the buildup of static electricity and the subsequent breakdown of the insulating properties of air.

Statement 1 is Correct: Lightning is caused by the accumulation of electric charges in clouds. During the development of a thunderstorm, air currents move upward while water droplets move downward. This friction and interaction cause a separation of charges, typically resulting in positive charges accumulating near the upper edges of the clouds and negative charges accumulating near the lower edges.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The process of electric discharge is not limited to interactions between two clouds. Discharge can occur:
- Within a single cloud (Intra-cloud).
- Between two different clouds (Inter-cloud).
- Between a cloud and the ground (Cloud-to-ground).
Therefore, lightning frequently involves discharge with the earth.
Statement 3 is Correct: Under normal conditions, air is a poor conductor of electricity (an insulator). However, when the magnitude of the accumulated charge becomes very large, the electric field becomes strong enough (approximately \(3 \times 10^6\) V/m) to strip electrons from air molecules. This process, known as dielectric breakdown, turns the air into a conductive plasma, allowing electricity to flow as lightning.

Key Takeaway: Lightning is an electric discharge resulting from charge accumulation in clouds. It occurs when the electric field exceeds the dielectric strength of air, causing normally insulating air to conduct electricity between clouds or between a cloud and the earth.

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) 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct: Lightning is caused by the accumulation of electric charges in clouds. During the development of a thunderstorm, air currents move upward while water droplets move downward. This friction and interaction cause a separation of charges, typically resulting in positive charges accumulating near the upper edges of the clouds and negative charges accumulating near the lower edges.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The process of electric discharge is not limited to interactions between two clouds. Discharge can occur:
- Within a single cloud (Intra-cloud).
- Between two different clouds (Inter-cloud).
- Between a cloud and the ground (Cloud-to-ground).
Therefore, lightning frequently involves discharge with the earth.
Statement 3 is Correct: Under normal conditions, air is a poor conductor of electricity (an insulator). However, when the magnitude of the accumulated charge becomes very large, the electric field becomes strong enough (approximately \(3 \times 10^6\) V/m) to strip electrons from air molecules. This process, known as dielectric breakdown, turns the air into a conductive plasma, allowing electricity to flow as lightning.