The most common form of lightning strike from a cloud to the ground involves negative charge moving from the cloud to the ground. Just before a lightning strike,
A) the electric field must point toward the sky.
B) the potential energy of the electrons in the cloud must be small.
C) the potential must be larger near the cloud.
D) there are no charges on the ground.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electric field must point toward the sky just before a lightning strike because negative charge is moving from the cloud to the ground. This creates an intense electric field pointing from the cloud to the ground, which is necessary for the lightning to occur. Additionally, choice B and C are incorrect because the potential energy of the electrons in the cloud must be high and the potential near the cloud must be lower in order for the lightning strike to occur. Choice D is also incorrect because there are charges on the ground, just fewer than in the cloud.

The Most Common Form of Lightning Strike from a Cloud