Question
Lightning is a form of static electricity. What can you infer about what happens when lightning strikes the ground? Protons and neutrons are transferred from the clouds to the ground. 3 The ground becomes negatively charged. Electrons are transferred from the clouds to the ground. An electric current is establishe
Answer
4.4
(309 Votes)
Yves
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
The correct answer is C.
Explanation
## Step 1First, let's understand the nature of electric charges and how static electricity works. Static electricity is defined by the imbalance between positive and negative charges. ## Step 2Option A suggests that protons and neutrons are transferred from the clouds to the ground. However, lightning doesn't function by transferring protons and neutrons. Therefore, option A is incorrect.## Step 3Option D suggests that protons and electrons are transferred from the cloud to the ground. However, this is not how lightning works. Static electricity is defined by the imbalance between positive and negative charges. When too many electrons (negative charges) build up in one place – in this case, the storm cloud – they can jump to a place with fewer electrons, hence the lightning. Therefore, option D is incorrect.## Step 4Option B suggests that the ground becomes negatively charged. While it's true that the ground becomes negatively charged during lightning, this is not a comprehensive perspective on what transpires. Once the electrons are transferred to the ground via the lightning bolt, they disperse relatively quickly to re-balance the charges. The simultaneous process of a lightning bolt forming also, in part, makes the ground positive. Therefore, option B is not entirely correct.## Step 5Option C suggests that electrons are transferred from the cloud to the ground. This is the most accurate description of what happens during lightning. The storm cloud accumulates an excess of electrons and these are transferred to the ground, balancing out the amount of charges in both the cloud and the ground.