SOME NATURAL PHENOMENA | Class 8 Science Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 2 min read
SOME NATURAL PHENOMENA – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of SOME NATURAL PHENOMENA from Class 8 Science, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
12.5 The Story of Lightning
Lightning is explained as a large-scale electric discharge occurring during thunderstorms. Inside thunderclouds, vigorous upward and downward air currents cause water droplets and ice particles to collide and rub against each other, leading to separation of electric charges. Positive charges accumulate near the upper edges of clouds, while negative charges gather near the lower edges. Positive charges also accumulate on the ground beneath the clouds. When the charge difference becomes very large, the insulating air breaks down, allowing a sudden flow of electric current between clouds or between clouds and the earth. This electric discharge appears as bright streaks of light called lightning, accompanied by the sound of thunder. Understanding lightning as an electric discharge helps in developing safety measures and devices like lightning conductors to protect life and property.
📊 Diagram: Fig. 12.5 : Accumulation of charges leading to lightning.
🔗 Connection: Leads to the discussion of lightning safety and protective measures.
Frequently asked questions
What is lightning and how does it occur during a thunderstorm?
Lightning is a sudden electrostatic discharge between electrically charged regions within clouds or between clouds and the ground. It occurs when air currents inside thunderclouds cause separation of charges, with positive charges accumulating at the top and negative charges at the bottom, leading to a discharge when the charge difference is large enough.
Which of the following statements correctly describes the reason why thunder is heard after lightning?
Light travels faster than sound, so lightning is seen before thunder is heard.
What safety device is used on buildings to protect them from lightning strikes, and how does it work?
A lightning conductor or lightning rod is used to protect buildings. It provides a safe path for the electric discharge from lightning to flow into the ground, preventing damage and fires.
Which of the following materials is an insulator?
Plastic
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- LIGHT | Class 8 Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on LIGHT for Class 8 Science.
- LIGHT | Class 8 Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on LIGHT for Class 8 Science.
- LIGHT | Class 8 Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on LIGHT for Class 8 Science.