MLP SOME NATURAL PHENOMENON Class 8

• There are two types of charges namely positive and negative charge, like charges repel each
other and opposite charges attract each other
• Some objects get charged by rubbing with other objects, the electrical charges produced by
rubbing are called static charges.
• Lightning in sky is caused by the accumulation of charges in the cloud
• Lightning strike could destroy life and property
• Electroscope is a device used to detect whether a body is charged or not
• The process of transfer of charge from a charged object to earth is called earthing
• An earthquake is the sudden shaking and trembling of the earth which is caused by the
disturbance inside the earth’s crust
• Earthquake tends to occur at fault zones.
• Richter scale is used to measure the destructive energy of an earthquake, the earthquake
measuring 7 or more on Richter scale can cause severe damage to life and property
• We should protect ourselves from destructive effects of earthquake.
• Sometimes, a crackling sound is heard while taking off a sweater during winters.
Explain.
Answer
Sweater is made of wool and generally shirt we wear is made of cotton blended with
some synthetic fibers. Constant friction between the shirt and sweater lets transfer of
electrons from one material to the other. This results in building of electric potential.
When enough potential has been accumulated, while taking off the sweater it
discharges and transfer of electrons take place. Passage of electrons through air in
the forms of spark let out heat and sound energy. Thus we hear the crackling sound
and in dark rooms we may see the spark lights as well.

• Explain why a charged body loses its charge if we touch it with our hand.
• Answer
When we touch a charged body, with our hand, the excess of accumulated charge or
static charges on it, gets transferred to ground through our body. Thus the charged
body loses its charge, and becomes neutral.

Name the scale on which the destructive energy of an earthquake is measured. An

earthquake measures 3 on this scale. Would it be recorded by a seismograph? Is it
likely to cause much damage?
Answer
The destructive energy of an earthquake is measured on Richter Scale.
The reading of magnitude 3 on the Richter scale would be recorded by a
seismograph.
If the Richter scale gives a reading of magnitude 3, then the earthquake is not likely
 to cause much damage. Generally, earthquake of magnitudes higher than 5 is
considered destructive in nature.
• Suggest three measures to protect ourselves from lightning.
Answer
Protective measures against lightning are:→ Stay indoors or under covered area.
→ Do not take bath during lightning.
→ Do not use any electrical appliances during lightning.
Explain why a charged balloon is repelled by another charged balloon
Answer
A charged balloon is repelled by another charged balloon because both carry same
charges and we know same charges repel each other ..
Describe with the help of a diagram an instrument which can be used to detect a
charged body.
Answer
An electroscope can be used to detect whether a body is charged or not. The
following figure shows a simple electroscope.

•
•
• In an Electroscope, two metal foils are are hung with the help of a conductor in a
glass jar with a lid. When a charged body touches this conductor, its charge gets
transferred to the metal foil and they move apart due to like charges. This shows that
an 2lectroscope detects charges.
HLP
1. State whether the following statements are true or false :-
a) Seismic energy travels through the crust in the form of waves.
b) Intensity of an earthquake decreases when the distance from the epicenter decreases.
c) Each point increase on Richter scale represents an increase of ten times in magnitude of
earthquake.
d) Tremor is discharge of static electricity between the clouds.
e) Franklin discovered atmospheric electricity.
2. What causes thunder and lightning?
3. Describe briefly the term aftershocks .
4. Write the correct words by putting letters in correct sequence
a) somehtrdutnr
b) gardiehcs

Answer Key:-
1. true, false, true, false, true.
2. Clouds contain tiny crystals of ice and droplets of water, which move against each other
(friction). This can cause huge amounts of charge to build up in clouds. Generally, nothing
happens due to this charge build-up because air is poor conductor of charges but when
accumulation of the charge is great enough and the wind brings clouds close together then
charge can jump from one cloud to another through the air. This electric discharge is called
lightning. Layers of air get rapidly heated up due to the heat produced at the time of
lightning and expand, this rapid expansion of air sends a disturbance produced as sound and
heard as thunder.
3. Aftershocks are minor earthquakes that usually follow a major earthquake.
4. a) thunderstorm b) discharge

WEB LINKS- Ch 15 Some natural phenomenon

https://youtu.be/RNoD5lcNulw
https://youtu.be/s0T9iwDBFtE