Lightning Quiz

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  • 1/26 Questions

    When electrons jump through the air, we see a spark.

    • True
    • False
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About This Quiz

A quick quiz on Ligntning based on the book entitled Lightning by Peter Murray.

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  • 2. 

    Which type of lightning looks like a glowing ball the size of a melon, floating through the air?You never know when this lightning will occur.

    • Ribbon Lightning

    • Ball Lightning

    • Heat Lightning

    Correct Answer
    A. Ball Lightning
    Explanation
    Ball lightning is a rare and unexplained phenomenon that appears as a glowing ball, typically the size of a melon, floating through the air. It is often associated with thunderstorms but can occur unpredictably. Despite extensive research, the exact cause and nature of ball lightning are still not fully understood. It is considered a mysterious and fascinating occurrence in the field of atmospheric science.

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  • 3. 

    A sudden, violent movement of electrons.

    • Thunder

    • Electrons

    • Lightning

    • Electricity

    Correct Answer
    A. Lightning
    Explanation
    Lightning is a sudden, violent movement of electrons. During a thunderstorm, the buildup of electrical charges in the atmosphere causes a discharge of electricity in the form of a lightning bolt. This discharge occurs when there is a difference in electrical potential between the ground and the clouds, causing a rapid movement of electrons. The movement of these electrons creates a bright flash of light and the characteristic sound of thunder. Therefore, lightning is the correct answer as it accurately describes the sudden, violent movement of electrons.

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  • 4. 

    Lightning helps restore the natural electrical balance in the clouds.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Lightning helps restore the natural electrical balance in the clouds by transferring electrical charges between the ground and the clouds. During a thunderstorm, the buildup of electrical charges in the clouds is discharged through lightning bolts, which travel from the negatively charged bottom of the cloud to the positively charged ground. This process helps to equalize the electrical imbalances in the atmosphere, restoring a more stable state. Therefore, the statement that lightning helps restore the natural electrical balance in the clouds is true.

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  • 5. 

    Very tiny, negatively charged particles.

    • Atoms

    • Protons

    • Sparks

    • Electrons

    Correct Answer
    A. Electrons
    Explanation
    Electrons are very tiny, negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom. They play a crucial role in determining the chemical and physical properties of an element. Electrons are responsible for the formation of chemical bonds and the flow of electric current. Protons, on the other hand, are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Sparks are brief flashes of light or heat caused by an electric discharge. Therefore, the correct answer is electrons.

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  • 6. 

    Once you see lightning, and count how many seconds it takes to hear thunder.....how many seconds count as a mile?

    • 60 seconds

    • 5 seconds

    • 1 minute

    Correct Answer
    A. 5 seconds
    Explanation
    The question is asking for the number of seconds that count as a mile. However, the question does not provide any information or context to relate lightning, thunder, or seconds to a mile. Therefore, it is not possible to generate a meaningful explanation for the given answer.

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  • 7. 

    This helps protect us from the sun's radiation.

    • Glaciers

    • Fulgurites

    • Ozone

    • Electrons

    • Lightning

    Correct Answer
    A. Ozone
    Explanation
    Ozone helps protect us from the sun's radiation by absorbing most of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the Earth's stratosphere. It acts as a shield, preventing the harmful UV rays from reaching the Earth's surface. This is crucial as excessive exposure to UV radiation can lead to various health issues, including skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened immune system. Ozone plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of radiation in the Earth's atmosphere and protecting life on Earth.

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  • 8. 

    How many electrons race through a lightning channel?

    • Thousands and thousands

    • Millions and millions

    • Billions and billions

    Correct Answer
    A. Billions and billions
    Explanation
    Billions and billions of electrons race through a lightning channel because lightning is a powerful electrical discharge caused by the imbalance of positive and negative charges in the atmosphere. This discharge creates a path of least resistance for the electrons to travel, resulting in a rapid flow of electrons from the cloud to the ground or between clouds. Given the immense energy and intensity of lightning, it is estimated that billions and billions of electrons are involved in this process.

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  • 9. 

    Lightning never strikes the same place twice.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    This statement is false because lightning can strike the same place multiple times. Tall buildings, trees, and other high structures are often struck by lightning repeatedly. Additionally, lightning can strike the same area during a thunderstorm, as the electrical charge may be attracted to the same location due to various factors such as topography or conductivity of the ground. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that lightning never strikes the same place twice.

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  • 10. 

    Electrons cool the air and make it glow.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Electrons do not cool the air and make it glow. The cooling of air is typically achieved through processes like convection or evaporation, not by the presence of electrons. Additionally, the glowing of air can occur due to various factors such as high temperatures or the presence of certain gases, but not solely because of electrons. Therefore, the statement is false.

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  • 11. 

    A single bolt of lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    A single bolt of lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun because lightning can reach temperatures of around 30,000 Kelvin (53,540 degrees Fahrenheit), while the surface of the sun has an average temperature of about 5,500 degrees Celsius (9,932 degrees Fahrenheit). Lightning is formed by the movement of electrons and ions, which generates intense heat and causes the surrounding air to rapidly expand, resulting in the characteristic thunder sound.

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  • 12. 

    What is thunder?

    • The sudden heat of the lightning makes the moist air rotate fast.

    • Both C and D.

    • The explosion from sudden heat.

    • The sudden heat of the lightning makes the moist air explode outward.

    Correct Answer
    A. Both C and D.
    Explanation
    Thunder is the sound produced by the rapid expansion of air surrounding a lightning bolt. When lightning occurs, it creates intense heat that causes the surrounding moist air to rapidly expand. This expansion leads to an explosion-like effect, resulting in the booming sound we hear as thunder. Therefore, both option C (the explosion from sudden heat) and option D (the sudden heat of the lightning makes the moist air explode outward) are correct explanations for what thunder is.

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  • 13. 

    What is lightning?

    • A sudden, violent movement of electrons

    • A giant electric spark

    • One of nature's most powerful forces.

    • All of the above.

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "All of the above." Lightning is a sudden, violent movement of electrons that creates a giant electric spark. It is also considered one of nature's most powerful forces. Therefore, all three statements accurately describe lightning.

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  • 14. 

    Which type of lightning occurs during windy storms?  The wind spreads out the lightning channel, making it wider.

    • Heat Lightning

    • Ribbon Lightning

    • Ball Lightning

    Correct Answer
    A. Ribbon Lightning
    Explanation
    Ribbon lightning occurs during windy storms because the wind spreads out the lightning channel, making it wider. This type of lightning appears as long, thin streaks that stretch across the sky, resembling ribbons. The strong winds in the storm cause the lightning to be more spread out, creating the ribbon-like appearance.

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  • 15. 

    Where is the best place to be during a thunderstorm?

    • Under a tree

    • Inside a car

    • Inside a building

    • Both B and C

    Correct Answer
    A. Both B and C
    Explanation
    During a thunderstorm, it is unsafe to be outside, as lightning can strike objects such as trees. Being inside a car or a building provides protection from lightning strikes, as they act as a Faraday cage, directing the electric charge around the occupants and into the ground. Therefore, the best place to be during a thunderstorm is either inside a car or inside a building.

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  • 16. 

    What causes lightning?

    • When the natural electricity in the cloud is out of balance.

    • Ice crystals ad water droplets swirl around each other, water droplets are blown up to the top of the cloud where it is very cold and create hailstones. The hailstones fall and crash into each other and creates a negative electrical charge. The top cloud, the smaller ice crystals are left with a positive electrical charge.

    • The negatively charged electrons in the bottom of the cloud are pulled toward the positively charged particles in the top of the cloud.

    • All of the above.

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above.
    Explanation
    The explanation for the given correct answer, "All of the above," is that lightning is caused by a combination of factors. When the natural electricity in the cloud is out of balance, it creates a situation where ice crystals and water droplets swirl around each other. The water droplets are blown up to the top of the cloud where it is very cold and create hailstones. As the hailstones fall and crash into each other, they create a negative electrical charge. At the same time, the smaller ice crystals in the top of the cloud are left with a positive electrical charge. The negatively charged electrons in the bottom of the cloud are then pulled toward the positively charged particles in the top of the cloud, resulting in lightning.

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  • 17. 

    Why is lightning important?

    • It keeps the Earth's electrical field in balance.

    • It produces ozone gas.

    • It helps to clean our air.

    • All of the above.

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above.
    Explanation
    Lightning is important because it serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it helps to keep the Earth's electrical field in balance by equalizing the positive and negative charges between the ground and the atmosphere. Additionally, lightning produces ozone gas, which is crucial for protecting the Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Lastly, lightning plays a role in cleaning the air by generating nitrogen oxides that contribute to the formation of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Therefore, all of the given options are correct explanations for why lightning is important.

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  • 18. 

    What does lightning look like?

    • A jagged bar of light. It flashes for a long time and then it is gone.

    • A jagged bar of light. It flashes for a second and then it is gone.

    • A thin stream of electrons, as big around as a piece of string, shoots down from the clouds.

    • Both A and C.

    • Both B and C.

    Correct Answer
    A. Both B and C.
    Explanation
    Both B and C are correct answers because lightning can appear as a jagged bar of light that flashes for a second and then disappears, as well as a thin stream of electrons shooting down from the clouds. Both descriptions accurately capture different aspects of what lightning can look like.

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  • 19. 

    When the electron stream branches off, like the limbs of an upside-down tree, the branching electron stream is called a____________.

    • Step Ladder

    • Stepped Leader

    • Step Down

    • Step up

    Correct Answer
    A. Stepped Leader
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Stepped Leader." When the electron stream branches off, it resembles the limbs of an upside-down tree. This branching electron stream is known as a "Stepped Leader."

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  • 20. 

    Which type of lightning can be see from far away, but not heard?

    • Heat Lightning

    • Ribbon Lightning

    • Ball Lightning

    Correct Answer
    A. Heat Lightning
    Explanation
    Heat lightning refers to the faint flashes of lightning that can be seen in the distance on a clear summer night. It is often mistaken for regular lightning but lacks thunder because it occurs at a distance where the sound waves cannot reach the observer. This phenomenon is caused by lightning occurring in distant thunderstorms, and the light from these strikes travels farther than the sound, resulting in only visual perception.

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  • 21. 

    What is formed when an Upward Streamer and a Stepped Leader meet?

    • Lightning Channel

    • Thunder and Lightning Channel

    • Thunder Channel.

    Correct Answer
    A. Lightning Channel
    Explanation
    When an Upward Streamer and a Stepped Leader meet, they form a Lightning Channel. This channel is the path through which the electrical discharge of a lightning bolt travels. It is created when the negatively charged stepped leader from the cloud connects with the positively charged upward streamer from the ground. The lightning channel allows for the flow of electricity, resulting in the bright flash of lightning that we see during a thunderstorm.

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  • 22. 

    This type of lightning is the most dangerous.

    • When a netrual electrical charge builds up on the ground it makes the electrons in the thundercloud discharge into the sun.

    • When a negative electrical charge builds up on the ground it makes the electrons in the thundercloud discharge into the earth.

    • When a positive electrical charge builds up on the ground it makes the electrons in the thundercloud discharge into the earth.

    Correct Answer
    A. When a positive electrical charge builds up on the ground it makes the electrons in the thundercloud discharge into the earth.
    Explanation
    When a positive electrical charge builds up on the ground, it creates an imbalance with the negative charge in the thundercloud. This imbalance causes the electrons in the thundercloud to be attracted to the positively charged ground, resulting in a discharge of lightning from the cloud to the earth. This type of lightning is considered the most dangerous because it carries a high amount of energy and can cause significant damage.

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  • 23. 

    When the stepped leader gets closer to the ground, a stream of positively charged particles rises to meet it.  This is called what?

    • Upward Bound

    • Upward steam

    • Downward Steamer

    • Upward Streamer

    Correct Answer
    A. Upward Streamer
    Explanation
    When the stepped leader, a channel of negative charge, gets closer to the ground, it induces a stream of positively charged particles to rise upwards. This rising stream of positive charges is known as an upward streamer. The upward streamer and the stepped leader connect, completing the path for the lightning discharge to occur.

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  • 24. 

    Formed when lightning hits a sandy area and the heat from the bolt melts the sand into glass.

    • Glass crystals

    • Fulgurites

    • Sand Crystals

    Correct Answer
    A. Fulgurites
    Explanation
    Fulgurites are formed when lightning strikes a sandy area and the intense heat from the lightning bolt melts the sand, creating glass-like structures. These structures, known as fulgurites, are formed when the lightning energy is conducted through the sand, causing it to fuse together and solidify. Fulgurites can vary in size and shape, and their formation provides evidence of past lightning strikes in the area.

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  • 25. 

    When electrons move through a metal wire, they are not visible.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    This statement is false because electrons are not visible to the naked eye regardless of whether they are moving through a metal wire or not. Electrons are subatomic particles and cannot be seen directly. Their movement can only be inferred through their effects on other objects or through scientific instruments.

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  • 26. 

    A single bolt of lightning might be several miles long and contain how many electrons?

    • 156 million

    • 156 quintillion

    • 156 billion

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. 156 quintillion
    Explanation
    A single bolt of lightning can be several miles long and is a powerful discharge of electricity. Electrons are the negatively charged particles that carry the current in an electrical circuit. Given the magnitude and intensity of a lightning bolt, it is reasonable to assume that it contains a massive number of electrons. Therefore, the correct answer is 156 quintillion, which represents an extremely large quantity of electrons.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 21, 2023 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Nov 15, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Sleary
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