Short Questions with answers
1. What is lightning?
Answer : Lightning is a sudden electric discharge in the atmosphere.
2. Who proved that lightning and electric sparks are similar?
Answer : Benjamin Franklin proved it in 1752.
3. What causes static charges?
Answer : Static charges are caused by rubbing certain objects.
4. What is an electroscope?
Answer : It is a device to detect whether an object is charged.
5. What happens when like charges are brought near each other?
Answer : Like charges repel each other.
6. What happens when opposite charges are brought close?
Answer : Opposite charges attract each other.
7. What is earthing?
Answer : Earthing is the process of transferring charge to the ground.
8. What causes lightning?
Answer : Lightning is caused by the accumulation of charges in clouds.
9. What is the crust of the earth?
Answer : The crust is the outermost layer of the earth.
10. What are seismic waves?
Answer : Seismic waves are vibrations caused by earthquakes.
11. What does the Richter scale measure?
Answer : It measures the magnitude of an earthquake.
12. What is a lightning conductor?
Answer : It is a device that protects buildings from lightning.
13. What are fault zones?
Answer : Fault zones are areas where earthquakes are more likely to occur.
14. What is the epicenter of an earthquake?
Answer : It is the point on the earth’s surface directly above the focus.
15. Why should you avoid open spaces during lightning?
Answer : Open spaces increase the risk of being struck by lightning.
16. What is the focus of an earthquake?
Answer : The focus is the point inside the earth where the earthquake starts.
17. Why are tall buildings more prone to lightning?
Answer : Tall buildings are closer to the clouds and attract lightning.
18. What is the role of an electroscope?
Answer : It helps detect and show the presence of electric charge.
19. How are charges generated in clouds?
Answer : Charges are generated by the movement of water droplets and air currents.
20. What is the safest position during a thunderstorm in an open field?
Answer : Squat low with your head between your hands to minimize risk.
Medium Questions with answers
1. Why do charged objects lose their charge when touched?
Answer : Charged objects lose their charge when touched because the charge is transferred to the ground through our body, a process called earthing. This neutralizes the charge.
2. What is the purpose of a lightning conductor?
Answer : A lightning conductor provides a safe path for lightning to travel to the ground, protecting buildings from damage. It prevents the lightning from striking directly.
3. Why does a charged balloon repel another charged balloon?
Answer : A charged balloon repels another charged balloon because they have like charges, which repel each other according to the law of charges.
4. What is an earthquake?
Answer : An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by movements of tectonic plates or disturbances in the Earth’s crust.
5. Why is it unsafe to use wired phones during a thunderstorm?
Answer : Wired phones can conduct electricity if lightning strikes nearby, potentially causing an electric shock. Wireless devices are safer alternatives.
6. How does rubbing cause objects to become charged?
Answer : Rubbing transfers electrons from one object to another, creating a positive charge on one and a negative charge on the other.
7. What is the Richter scale used for?
Answer : The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake, indicating its energy and potential for destruction.
8. Why do earthquakes occur at fault zones?
Answer : Fault zones are the boundaries of tectonic plates where movements cause disturbances in the Earth’s crust, leading to earthquakes.
9. What happens during an electric discharge in clouds?
Answer : During electric discharge, opposite charges from different regions in clouds or between clouds and the ground meet, producing lightning and thunder.
10. What should you do if you are in an open field during lightning?
Answer : Squat low to the ground, place your hands on your knees, and avoid tall objects, metal poles, and lying flat to minimize risk.
Long Questions with answers
1. How does an electroscope work to detect charge?
Answer : An electroscope has metal strips connected to a conductor. When a charged object touches the conductor, the charge transfers to the strips, causing them to repel and spread apart. This indicates that the object is charged.
2. What causes earthquakes and how are they measured?
Answer : Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth’s crust, which create disturbances. Their magnitude is measured using the Richter scale, where higher magnitudes (above 7) indicate severe destruction.
3. What precautions should be taken during an earthquake?
Answer : During an earthquake, take shelter under a sturdy table or move to an open space away from buildings and power lines. Avoid using elevators and stay away from heavy furniture or objects that might fall.
4. Describe the role of a lightning conductor in protecting buildings.
Answer : A lightning conductor is a metal rod installed on buildings, with one end in the air and the other buried in the ground. It safely channels lightning charges to the ground, preventing damage to the structure.
5. Why are fault zones prone to earthquakes?
Answer : Fault zones are the boundaries of tectonic plates that constantly move. When plates collide, brush past, or slide under one another, they cause disturbances in the Earth’s crust, leading to tremors and earthquakes.
6. How does the process of charging by rubbing work?
Answer : When two materials, such as a plastic comb and dry hair, are rubbed together, electrons are transferred from one material to the other. This creates a charge imbalance, making one object negatively charged and the other positively charged, resulting in static electricity.
7. What are the safety measures to take during a thunderstorm?
Answer : During a thunderstorm, stay indoors and avoid contact with electrical wires, plumbing, and metal objects. If outdoors, take shelter in a car or a building, away from trees and tall structures. Avoid using umbrellas and do not lie on the ground to minimize the risk of being struck by lightning.
Very helpful questions and answers . Thanks a lot