31. NCERT Exemplar XV

 

During rain or thunderstorm, air currentswater droplets move upwards while the water dropletsair currents move downwards.

In this process, charges does not getalso get separated. The positive chargesnegative charges accumulate near the upper edges of clouds, and the negative chargespositive charges accumulate near the lower edges of clouds.

 

There is an accumulation of negative chargespositive charges on the ground also.

 

Air is present between the clouds and the ground. Generally, the air is a good conductorpoor conductor of charges. When the air losesgains its resistance, it startsstops to conduct the charges.

 

Negative and positive charges meetrepel, producing streaks of bright light and sound. We see streaks as lightning, and this process is known as electric discharge.

The process of electric discharge can occur between clouds and the earth's surface or even between two clouds.