Question

Clouds get electrically charged when :

• A. The UV rays of sun falls on them
• B. Air molecules rub against water molecules
• C. Cold currents of air rub against hot currents of air
• D. Both B and C

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Both B and C

The heat from the sun and warm air cause water from water bodies to vaporize. These vapour accumulate in the sky to form clouds. When these vapour molecules rub against the air molecules or other vapour molecules, they acquire charge due to friction.

Lightning occurs when an electrical charge is built up within a cloud, due to static electricity generated by supercooled water droplets colliding with ice crystals near the freezing level. When a large enough charge is built up, a large discharge will occur and can be seen as lightning. The temperature of a lightning bolt can be five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

Both B and C are correct.

Option D