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Question 12 Marks
Explain why, a charged body loses its charge when we touch it with our hand.
Answer
A charged body loses its charge or gets discharged when we touch it with our hand. This process is called Earthing. The process of transfer of charge from a charged body to the earth is called Earthing.
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Question 22 Marks
The weather department has predicted that a thunderstorm is likely to occur on a certain day. Suppose you have to go out on that day. Would you carry an umbrella? Explain.
Answer
No. We should not carry an umbrella in a thunderstorm. During thunderstorm, which is accompanied by lightning, electric discharge from the clouds can travel through the metallic rod of the umbrella. This may give an electric shock to the person who is carrying it. Hence, it is not safe to carry an umbrella during lightning.
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Question 32 Marks
Suppose you are outside your home and an earthquake strikes. What precaution would you take to protect yourself?
Answer
No. We should not carry an umbrella in a thunderstorm. During thunderstorm, which is accompanied by lightning, electric discharge from the clouds can travel through the metallic rod of the umbrella. This may give an electric shock to the person who is carrying it. Hence, it is not safe to carry an umbrella during lightning.
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Question 42 Marks
Will the lightning conductor be still required to be installed in the building?
Answer
The lightning conductor protects buildings from lightning. The negative charges that are attracted to the conductor travels down to the earth. Thereby preventing the lightning stroke from the damage of the building.
The diagram is given below:

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Question 52 Marks
Why does a plastic comb rubbed with dry hair attract tiny pieces of paper?
Answer
The electric charges generated by rubbing are static electric charges. These electric charges remain bound on the surface of the charged object. When a plastic comb is dry hair, it becomes negatively charged. The negatively charged comb induces a positive charge on the pieces of paper which are neutral in nature. As we know that the unlike charges attract each other, plastic comb attracts tiny pieces of paper.
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Question 62 Marks
For what purpose is Richter Scale used?
Answer
The Richter scale is used to measure the magnitude (or intensity) of an earthquake. It measures the power of an earthquake. The destructive earthquakes have magnitudes higher than 7 on the Richter scale.
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Question 72 Marks
Explain why should a person not stand under a tree during a thunderstorm.
Answer
Due to the following reasons the person should not stand under a tree during a thunderstorm.
$i.$ The tree may fall on the person and he may get injured.
$ii.$ The chances of lightning striking the person under the tree are more because there is no conductor to transfer the charges to the ground.
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Question 82 Marks
How will you charge a glass rod by the method of friction?
Answer
The electric charges generated by rubbing are static electric charges. These electric charges remain bound on the surface of the charged object. A glass rod can be charged by rubbing it with silk cloth. When a glass rod is rubbed with silk, some of the electrons from the glass atoms are transferred to silk. Due to the deficiency of electrons in the glass atoms, it becomes positively charged. Whereas the silk has acquired electrons, it becomes negatively charged.
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Question 92 Marks
Name the device which is used to protect a tall building from lightning.
Answer
Lightening conductor is a device which is used to protect a tall building from lightening. A metallic rod, taller than the building, is installed in the walls of the building during its construction.
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Question 102 Marks
Name the instrument used to measure and record an earthquake.
Answer
Seismograph is the instrument which is used to measure and record an earthquake. The tremors produce waves on the surface of the earth. These are called seismic waves. These waves are recorded by the seismograph.
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Question 112 Marks
Write the range of a very strong earthquake on the Richter scale.
Answer
The destructive energy of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale, and it has readings from $1$ to $10.$ Generally, the earthquake of measure higher than $5 ($between $5-10)$ is considered to be very destructive and strong earthquake.
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Question 122 Marks
How will you charge a ballpoint pen refill by the method of friction?
Answer
A ballpoint pen refill can be charged by rubbing it against the wool cloth. It becomes negatively charged. When we bring it close to bits of paper, the paper gets attracted to it. Paper is electrically neutral. The negative charge on the pen induces a positive charge on the paper bits which are close to it that causes the paper to fly and stick to the pen.
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Question 132 Marks
An inflated rubber balloon and a woollen cloth are rubbed together. What type of charge is acquired by$?$ $(a)$ woollen cloth, and $(b)$ rubber balloon$?$
Answer
The rubber balloon becomes negatively charged when rubbed with a woolen cloth. The woolen cloth acquires a positive charge.
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Question 142 Marks
What happens when the two plates of earth's crust moving in opposite directions slide past one another?
Answer
The outermost layer of the earth is fragmented. Each fragment is called a plate. These plates are in continual motion. When they brush past one another, or a plate goes under another due to collision they cause disturbance. This disturbance in the earth’s crust shows up as an earthquake on the surface of the earth.
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Question 152 Marks
How is thunderstorm produced?
Answer
Thunderstorms develop in hot and humid areas like India. The rising temperature produces strong upward rising winds. These winds carry water droplets upwards where they freeze and fall again. This slow movement of the falling water droplets along with the rising air create lightning and sound. This is a thunderstorm.
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Question 162 Marks
State what happens actually, when we touch the metal top of a charged electroscope with our fingers? What is this process known as?
Answer
When we touch the metal top of the charged electroscope than all charge will move to the earth through our body because our body is the conductor of the electricity, this will make the electroscope uncharged. This process is known as Earthing in which the charge is transferred into the ground/ earth through a conductor.
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Question 172 Marks
What will you observe when the metal top of an electroscope is touched with a glass rod which has been rubbed with silk cloth? Give reason for your answer.
Answer
When a glass rod is rubbed with a silk cloth, it acquires positive charge. When it is touched with the metal top of an electroscope, both the metal top and leaves acquires a positive charge due to conduction. As a result of the positive charge on both the leaves, the divergence of leaves takes place.
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Question 182 Marks
Explain why it is safer to use a wireless telephone instead of a landline telephone during lightning.
Answer
During lightning, an electric charge may discharge through telephone cords of landline telephone and may become dangerous. Therefore, it is safer to use mobile phones and wireless/cordless phones during lightning.
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Question 192 Marks
Explain why, sometimes when we take off the woollen sweater or a polyester shirt in a dark room, we can see tiny sparks of light and hear a crackling sound.
Answer
We can see tiny sparks of light and hear a crackling sound when we take off the woolen sweater or a polyester shirt. It happens because the sweater or a polyester shirt gets charged due to friction between the sweater and the body.
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Question 202 Marks
Why are lightning strikes more frequent in hilly areas?
Answer
Hills are above the sea levels and are nearer to the sky. The clouds are closer to the hills as compared to the grounds. As a result, the lightening can strike much easily and frequently in hilly areas.
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Question 212 Marks
During the construction of a building the lightning conductor was left hanging in the air by mistake. Would the lightning conductor be still effective? Explain.
Answer
Lightning conductor will not work, if left hanging in the air because in order to work, it must be connected to the ground by using any metal (copper) plate, so that the charge can pass through it to the ground.
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Question 222 Marks
What happens when two moving plates of earth's crust collide head on with each other?
Answer
The outermost layer of the earth is fragmented. Each fragment is called a plate. These plates are in continual motion. When two plates collide head on, they push each other up and form mountains. The Himalayas and other great mountain ranges were created by this process.
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Question 232 Marks
Why does lightning usually strike tall buildings?
Answer
Lightning strike could destroy life and property. Lightning conductors can protect buildings from the effects of lightning. Lightning strikes the tall buildings and can result in fire.
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Question 242 Marks
When an object is touched with the metal top of an electroscope, its aluminium leaves diverge. What conclusion do you get from this observation?
Answer
If the leaves of the electroscope diverge or open up when an object is touched, the body is charged. The extent of divergence or opening up of the leaves is a measure of the charge on the body. A body with higher charge will cause greater opening up of the leaves.
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Question 252 Marks
What damage can be done when lightning strikes on the earth?
Answer
Lightening can result in electric shocks, damage to the buildings and fire. The electric discharge from the clouds can travel through the metal objects and can result into the electric discharge to the person carrying it.
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Question 262 Marks
A person is in open space during a thunderstorm with no shelter (not even a tree) available nearby. Describe the safe position which he should take to protect himself from lightning. Why is this position considered safe?
Answer
If there is no shelter available, we must stay away from all trees, poles or other metal objects. We must not lie on the ground but we should squat low on the ground. Hands must be placed on the knees and the head should be between the hands. This position will make us the smallest target to be struck.
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Question 272 Marks
Where is the upper end of the lightning conductor fixed in a building?
Answer
A metallic rod which is taller than the building is installed in the walls of the building during its construction. One end of the rod is kept out in the air and the other end is buried deep in the ground. The rod provides easy route for the transfer of electric charge to the ground.
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Question 282 Marks
What happens when we touch the metal top of a charged electroscope with our finger? What is this process known as?
Answer
The leaves of an electroscope will collapse when we touch the metal cap with our hand. This is because the leaves of the charged electroscope lose charge to the earth or gets discharged through our body. This process is called Earthing. The process of transfer of charge from a charged body to the earth is called Earthing.
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Question 292 Marks
How will you charge a plastic comb (plastic scale or plastic pen) by the method of friction?
Answer
The electric charges generated by rubbing are static electric charges. These electric charges remain bound on the surface of the charged object. A plastic comb can be charged by rubbing. The plastic comb will carry a negative charge.
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Question 302 Marks
A glass rod is rubbed with a silk cloth. What type of charge is acquired by $(a)$ silk cloth, $(b)$ glass rod$?$
Answer
After rubbing the glass rod with silk cloth, the glass rod becomes positively charged. The silk cloth becomes negatively charged.
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Question 312 Marks
In an electroscope, if a negatively charged body is brought in contact with the metal clip, the strips of the electroscope diverge. If now another charged object carrying an equal amount of positive charge is brought in contact with the clip, what will happen?
Answer
If a positively charged object is brought in contact with the clip of an electroscope, the negative charge which was given earlier will be neutralized and the strips will collapse.
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Question 322 Marks
Why should a person not stand under a tree during a thunderstorm?
Answer
Trees are usually the tallest objects around and have many pointy tips. The electric field is strong near the pointed tips. The current from a lightening may leave the tree and jump over to the person standing near the tree. The current will then follow from the body of the person on its way to the ground.
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Question 332 Marks
Name the material of which a lightning conductor is made.
Answer
Lightening conductor is a device which is used to protect a tall building from lightening. Lightening conductor is made up of metal which is a good conductor of electricity.
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Question 342 Marks
Name the scientist who showed that lightning and spark are the same phenomena.
Answer
In $1752$ an American scientist Benjamin Franklin was the scientist who showed that the lightning and sparks from our clothes are essentially the same phenomena. The figure below is the image of Benjamin Franklin.
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Question 352 Marks
A negatively charged object attracts another charged object placed near it. What is the nature of charge on the other object?
Answer
The nature of charge on the other object will be positive. This is because like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other.
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Question 362 Marks
What will you observe when the metal top of an electroscope is touched with a plastic comb rubbed in dry hair? Give reason for your answer.
Answer
After rubbing the plastic comb, it acquires negative charge. When it is touched with the metal cap of an electroscope, both the metal cap and the leaves acquire negative charge due to conduction. As a result of negative charge on both the leaves, divergence of leaves takes place.
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Question 372 Marks
Name the scientist who showed that lightning is electric in nature.
Answer
Benjamin Franklin is the scientist who showed that lightening is electric in nature. He discovered many things about lightening and was the first to show that a thunderstorm lets out electricity.
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Question 382 Marks
In an electroscope if a negatively charged body is brought in contact with the metal clip, the strips of the electroscope diverge. If now another charged object carrying equal amount of prositive charge is brought in contact with the clip, what will happen?
Answer
If a positively charged object is brought in contact with the metal clip of an electroscope, the negative charge given earlier to the clip will be neutralised and the diverged strips will contract.
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Question 392 Marks
Define earthing.
Answer

Earthing is the process of connecting the exposed metal parts of an electrical circuit to the ground. This is done to avoid accidental shock. If the earth wire is properly connected to the metallic body it protects us from an electric shock.
The earthing system is given below:
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Question 402 Marks
List three states in India where earthquakes are more likely to occur.
Answer
The states in India where earthquakes are most likely to occur are Kashmir, Western and Central Himalayas, the whole of North-East, Rann of Kutch, Rajasthan and the Indo Gangetic Plane.
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Question 412 Marks
We should avoid carrying an umbrella during lightning. Explain why.
Answer
An umbrella can increase your chances of being hit by lightning due to the following reasons.
$i.$ It makes you the tallest object in the area which will make you prone to lightning.
$ii.$ A metal rod is the good conductor of electricity hence it will direct electric current into the body and hence the person carrying the umbrella will get a severe electric shock.
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Question 422 Marks
A negatively charged object repels another charged object held near it. What is the nature of charge on the other object?
Answer
The nature of charge on the other object is negative. This is because like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other.
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Question 432 Marks
The strips of an electroscope diverge when a charged body is brought in contact with the metal clip. Now the clip is touched gently by our hand. What will happen to the strips? Explain.
Answer
If we touch the strip standing on the ground (not on any insulating base), then the charge on the strip will pass through our hand to the ground and the strips will contract.
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Question 442 Marks
What was the magnitude of Bhuj and Kashmir earthquakes on the Richter Scale$?$
Answer
The magnitude of Bhuj and Kashmir earthquakes on the Richter Scale were more than $7.5$ The destructive earthquakes have magnitudes higher than $7$ on the Richter scale.
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Question 452 Marks
What would happen if two balloons rubbed with wool are brought together?
Answer
The two balloons will repel each other because when they are rubbed with wool, negative charges move from wool to balloons. Both balloons become negatively charged and therefore repel each other.
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Question 462 Marks
What name is given to the flash of light which occurs in the sky during the rainy season?
Answer
Lightening is the name given to the flash of light which occurs in the sky during the rainy season. The process of electric discharge between clouds and the earth or between different clouds causes lightning.
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Question 472 Marks
A positively charged object repels another charged object kept close to it. What is the nature of charge on the other object?
Answer
The nature of charge on the other object will be positive. This is because like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other.
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Question 482 Marks
Explain why, it might be dangerous to raise an umbrella over our head in a thunderstorm.
Answer
It is not safe to carry an umbrella during thunderstorm. Umbrellas are made up of metals. Thunderstorms are accompanied with lightening. The electric discharge from the clouds can travel through the metal rod of the umbrella. It can result into the electric discharge to the person carrying it. Hence, it might be dangerous to carry an umbrella during thunderstorm.
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Question 492 Marks
What kind of electric charge is acquired?
$i.$ By a glass rod rubbed with silk cloth?
$ii.$ By a plastic comb rubbed with dry hair?
Answer
$i.$ After rubbing the glass rod with silk cloth, the glass rod becomes positively charged. The silk cloth becomes negatively charged.
$ii.$ The plastic comb acquires negative charge when it is rubbed with dry hair.
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Question 502 Marks
What precautions would you take to protect yourself during an earthquake if you are outdoors?
Answer
Precautions for protection during an earthquake if we are outdoors:
$-$We must find a clear spot, away from the buildings, trees and overhead power lines. We must drop to the ground.
$-$While driving, we must remain inside the car or a bus. We must drive slowly to a clear spot. We must not come out of the car or a bus till the tremors stop.
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