During the thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the
- meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky
- lightning that separates the nimbus clouds
- violent upward movement of air and water particles
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2013 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None of the above produces the thunder
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
- Thunderstorms are caused by the rapid upward movement of warm and moist air, which leads to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds that can reach over 20 km in height.
- Thunderstorms are commonly associated with cumulonimbus clouds that usually form on warm and sunny days, but they can also occur on cold fronts.
- During thunderstorms, lightning generates an enormous amount of electricity, ranging from 100 million to 1 billion volts, and heats the air to around 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- This extreme heating causes the air to rapidly expand, creating shock waves that produce the sound of thunder.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
