Sprites, Jets, and Glowing Balls: The Science of Lightning

What causes the separation of positive and negative charges within a cloud during a thunderstorm?

• The sun's heat warming the cloud.

• Air moving around and making ice crystals and water molecules collide.

• Birds flying through the cloud.

• The moon's gravitational pull.

What is a key difference between negative lightning and positive lightning?

• Negative lightning is blue, and positive lightning is red.

• Negative lightning is weaker, while positive lightning can be up to 10 times stronger.

• Negative lightning occurs in the summer, and positive lightning occurs in the winter.

• Negative lightning travels upward, and positive lightning travels downward.

What are red sprites and blue jets?

• Types of clouds that produce lightning.

• Different kinds of thunder.

• Special types of lightning that occur high above thunderstorms.

• Animals that are attracted to lightning.

Which of the following is a theory about what causes ball lightning?

• It is caused by static electricity from rubbing balloons.

• It is formed by ions created when lightning strikes near glass.

• It is a type of lightning that only happens in space.

• It is a reflection of sunlight off water droplets.