Some Natural Phenomena Lesson 4

CLASS VIII - UNIT III, SECOND SEMESTER
What is an electric discharge?

 Electric discharge : Electric discharge is the flow of electric charge
through air (or a gas) , breaking the insulation of air . Arc Welding ,
electric lighter , sparks produced by a synthetic blanket or a woolen shirt
and lightning are a few examples of electric discharge .
Definition of lightning
 Lightning is a large-scale natural electric discharge that occurs within
the clouds or between the clouds and the earth’s surface.
Why do we hear thunder ?
 Temperatures in the lightning reach about 25,000°C. The surrounding air
is rapidly heated, causing it to expand violently at a rate faster than the
speed of sound. This rapid expansion of air causes a loud sound known as
thunder.
Spikes
Lightning Conductor
Copper rod
What is a lightning conductor ?
 The lightning conductor is a thick copper wire or a strip that is secured onto the
tallest point of a building to a long copper rod that is hammered deep into the
ground at the side of the building and connected to a copper plate.
 It protects buildings from lightning strikes by providing an easier path for
the current to flow to earth rather than through the building. In the event
of a direct lightning strike, the current in the conductor may be so great that it
melts or vaporizes the metal, but the damage to the building will be limited.
 Lightning is drawn to pointed things rather than to round or blunt things and
for this reason, lightning rods have spikes or sharp points. When a cloud
filled with electricity passes over the rods, the electricity will flow down through
the lightning conductor, until the cloud is fully discharged.
Safety precautions (outdoors)
1. When thunder roars, go indoors. Find a safe, enclosed shelter. A

house or a building or a car with closed windows and doors is a safe
place to take shelter during a lightning.
If you don't find a place to hide, just squat on the ground or hide
under shorter trees.
2.If no shelter is available, crouch low, with as little of your body

touching the ground as possible .
Safety precautions(indoors)
 Avoid water during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through

plumbing.
 Avoid electronic equipment of all types. Lightning can travel through
electrical systems and radio and television reception systems.
 Avoid corded or landline phones. However, cordless or mobile phones are
safe to use during a storm.
Homework:To be done in P.C. or hard copy
Q.1 Fill in the blanks :
ii. A charged body is attracted to ________________ and
________________body.
v. An atom is electrically _________________.
vi. An electroscope charged by conduction using a charged ebonite rod
becomes _________________ charged.
Q.3 Give one word for the following :
ii. Device installed in tall buildings to protect them from lightning.
__________
Homework: (To be done in Portfolio)
Q.8 i) What is an electric discharge?
Ans. Electric discharge : Electric discharge is the flow of electric charge
through air (or a gas) , breaking the insulation of air . Arc Welding ,
electric lighter , sparks produced by a synthetic blanket or a woolen shirt
and lightning are a few examples of electric discharge.
ii) Is lightning related to electric discharge? Explain your answer.

Yes, Lightning is a form of electric discharge as during lightning flow of
electric charge takes place through air, within the clouds or between the
clouds and the earth’s surface.
Q12 Explain the principle, construction and working of a lightning
conductor. Also draw its neat and well labelled diagram.
Ans. The lightning conductor is a device used to protect tall buildings from
lightning.
Principle of working of lightning conductor is earthing . It protects
buildings from lightning strikes by providing an easier path for the current
to flow to earth rather through the building.
Spikes
Copper
rod
Building
Copper plate /
Earthing
Construction :The lightning conductor is a thick copper wire or a strip that
is secured onto the tallest point of a building to a long copper rod that is
hammered deep into the ground at the side of the building and connected
to a copper plate.
Working : Lightning is drawn to pointed things rather than to round or
blunt things, and for this reason, lightning rods have spikes or sharp points.
When a cloud filled with electricity passes over the rods, the electricity will
flow down through the lightning conductor, and into the ground until the
cloud is fully discharged.
Q.15 Why do we see the lightning before we hear thunder?
Ans. The lightning is seen before thunder as speed of light is higher than
speed of sound .
For extra information on lightning do visit the
national geographic website
 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-
disasters/lightning/

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CLASS VIII - UNIT III, SECOND SEMESTER

What is an electric discharge?

1. When thunder roars, go indoors. Find a safe, enclosed shelter. A

2.If no shelter is available, crouch low, with as little of your body

 Avoid water during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through

ii) Is lightning related to electric discharge? Explain your answer.

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