Wrap Up: Answer the following questions. For reasons not yot fully understood by scientists.thundorstorm clouds have a strong soparation of charge, with a negative charge concentrated on the lower lovel of the clouds and a positive chargo concentrated in the upper lovel of the clouds. a. What is tho sign of the charge that is induced on the ground bolow? b. Electrons are pulled off when the electric field is strong enough to rip air molecules apart, leaving positivoly charged ions In which direction (up or down) do the electrons travel? c. In which diroction do the positive ions travol? d. The electrons and ions crash through the surrounding air with great energy, producing a sudden increase in the temperature of the air.The air expands very quickly, producing a flash of light and a loud boom. What are those called?

## Step 1<br />Thunderstorm clouds have a strong separation of charge, with a negative charge concentrated on the lower level of the clouds and a positive charge concentrated in the upper level of the clouds. This separation of charges creates an electric field.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The electric field created by the thunderstorm clouds induces a charge on the ground below. The negative charge on the lower level of the clouds induces a positive charge on the ground below.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The strong electric field can pull electrons off the air molecules, leaving positively charged ions. The electrons are pulled in the direction of the electric field, which is from the positive charge to the negative charge. In this case, the electrons travel downwards.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />The positive ions, being attracted to the negative charge, travel upwards.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />When the electrons and ions crash through the surrounding air with great energy, they produce a sudden increase in the temperature of the air. This rapid expansion of air produces a flash of light and a loud boom, which are known as lightning and thunder, respectively.