The Nature of Electricity: Lightning and Thunder

The video explains the dangers of lightning, which kills 100 people and ignites 75-100 forest fires annually in the U.S. It describes how electrical charges form in thunderclouds due to updrafts and downdrafts, leading to charged regions. When the charge buildup becomes significant, it discharges as lightning, occurring in a fraction of a second.

What is one of the main dangers associated with electric storms in the United States?

• Flooding

• Hailstorms

• Lightning strikes

• Tornadoes

What natural phenomenon often leads to the formation of electrical charges in thunderclouds?

• Solar flares

• Volcanic eruptions

• Earthquakes

• Updrafts and downdrafts

What causes certain regions of a cloud to become charged?

• The altitude of the cloud

• The presence of sunlight

• Friction between water and ice particles

• The rotation of the Earth

What happens when the buildup of electrical charges in a cloud becomes significant?

• A rainbow forms

• The cloud changes color

• The electric charge is discharged

• The cloud dissipates

How quickly does a lightning discharge occur?

• In about 1-10 seconds

• In about 1-10 minutes

• In about 1-10 hours

• In about 1-10 thousandth of a second