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Science Explainer: What causes lightning and thunder?

By Formative Staff
Last updated 4 months ago
3 Questions
Note from the author:
Read the passage What causes lightning and thunder? Then answer the questions below.
Read the passage What causes lightning and thunder? Then answer the questions below.
Required
Drag each answer choice into the correct space. Not all answer choices will be used.
Lightning begins as ___________________ in a rain cloud. One wind lifts ___________________ from the bottom of the cloud to a much colder atmosphere. Meanwhile, another wind pushes _________________ down from the top of the cloud. This results in the stripping of ______________ .
Other Answer Choices:
ice and hail
electric fields
static charges
columns of air
water droplets
electrons
Required

Drag each statement to the correct box to show whether it is true of lightning or thunder.

  • It is caused by air that is rapidly contracting
  • It heats the air to extremely high temperatures
  • It travels at a speed of about 12 miles per minute
  • It is always the first of the two that is seen or heard
  • Lightning
  • Thunder
Required

Which statements are true about how lightning is related to thunder? Select three correct answers.