Some Natural Phenomena — Class 8 MCQs with Answers
Class 8 CBSE Science · Chapter 112
Pre-2026 syllabusThis chapter is from the older NCERT book. See the 2026-27 Class 8 Science chapters →
72 practice questions · 24 Easy · 24 Medium · 24 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 8 CBSE Science questions from Chapter 112, "Some Natural Phenomena". You get 6 timed quizzes made from 72 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that set top scorers in CBSE Board exams apart.
To score well in "Some Natural Phenomena", focus on clear concepts in physics, chemistry and biology basics. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This trains you to stay accurate under time pressure, as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Some Natural Phenomena, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 8 Science mastery score. 14 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Key concepts: Some Natural Phenomena (Class 8 Science)
This chapter covers two natural phenomena linked to charge and Earth's interior — lightning (static electricity) and earthquakes.
- Charging by rubbing
- Rubbing transfers charge; like charges repel and unlike charges attract (tested with an electroscope).
- Electric discharge & lightning
- Lightning is a large electric discharge between charged clouds (or cloud and ground).
- Lightning safety
- Take shelter indoors; lightning conductors on tall buildings safely carry the charge to the ground.
- Earthquakes
- Sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement of tectonic plates along fault lines.
Some Natural Phenomena — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 8 Science)
14 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. The other 58 are timed and scored when you sign in.
- Q1Easy
An object can acquire an electric charge by:
A.Rubbing it with another object✓ CorrectB.Cooling itC.Heating itD.Washing itAnswer: A. Rubbing it with another object
Explanation: Rubbing two objects (charging by friction) transfers charge, giving them electric charge.
- Q2Easy
There are two kinds of electric charges:
A.Big and smallB.Positive and negative✓ CorrectC.Hot and coldD.Heavy and lightAnswer: B. Positive and negative
Explanation: Electric charges are of two types: positive and negative.
- Q3Easy
Lightning is essentially a huge electric:
A.Discharge (spark) between clouds or cloud and earth✓ CorrectB.RainfallC.Sound onlyD.MagnetAnswer: A. Discharge (spark) between clouds or cloud and earth
Explanation: Lightning is an electric discharge between charged clouds or between a cloud and the ground.
- Q4Easy
The device used to protect tall buildings from lightning is a:
A.ElectroscopeB.Lightning conductor✓ CorrectC.SeismographD.BarometerAnswer: B. Lightning conductor
Explanation: A lightning conductor safely carries the lightning's charge to the ground, protecting the building.
- Q5Easy
The sudden shaking or trembling of the Earth is called an:
A.Earthquake✓ CorrectB.EclipseC.EchoD.AvalancheAnswer: A. Earthquake
Explanation: An earthquake is a sudden trembling of the Earth's surface.
- Q6Easy
A plastic comb rubbed on dry hair can attract small pieces of paper because it becomes:
A.MagneticB.HotC.Charged✓ CorrectD.WetAnswer: C. Charged
Explanation: Rubbing charges the comb, and a charged object attracts light, uncharged paper bits.
- Q7Medium
Why does a charged object lose its charge when touched by hand?
A.The charge flows away to the earth through the body (earthing)✓ CorrectB.The hand heats itC.The hand is magneticD.The object meltsAnswer: A. The charge flows away to the earth through the body (earthing)
Explanation: The body conducts the charge to the earth, so the object becomes uncharged — earthing.
- Q8Medium
Two balloons rubbed on hair are brought close and move apart. This shows they carry:
A.Unlike chargesB.No chargeC.HeatD.Like charges, which repel✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Like charges, which repel
Explanation: Both balloons gain the same kind of charge, and like charges repel, pushing them apart.
- Q9Medium
How does lightning occur during a thunderstorm?
A.Charges build up in clouds, and when they grow large enough, they discharge as a giant spark✓ CorrectB.Hot air rises onlyC.The ground heats upD.Rain causes magnetismAnswer: A. Charges build up in clouds, and when they grow large enough, they discharge as a giant spark
Explanation: Separated charges build up in clouds; a large enough charge jumps across as lightning.
- Q10Medium
How does a lightning conductor protect a building?
A.It attracts all storms awayB.It provides an easy metal path to carry the lightning's charge safely to the ground✓ CorrectC.It stops rainD.It makes the building magneticAnswer: B. It provides an easy metal path to carry the lightning's charge safely to the ground
Explanation: The conductor guides the charge straight to earth, so it does not damage the building.
- Q11Medium
Why do earthquakes occur mostly along plate boundaries?
A.The boundaries are coldestB.There is no rock thereC.The plates move and brush past or collide there, releasing energy as tremors✓ CorrectD.They are near the sea onlyAnswer: C. The plates move and brush past or collide there, releasing energy as tremors
Explanation: At boundaries the moving plates interact, releasing energy that shakes the ground.
- Q12Hard
A metal sphere on an insulating stand is charged, then touched with a wire connected to the ground. The sphere loses its charge because:
A.The wire heats itB.The charge flows through the wire to the earth (earthing)✓ CorrectC.The sphere becomes a magnetD.The charge disappears into the standAnswer: B. The charge flows through the wire to the earth (earthing)
Explanation: The conducting wire earths the sphere, letting its charge flow to the ground.
- Q13Hard
A charged rod attracts object X but repels object Y. We can conclude that:
A.Both have the same chargeB.Both X and Y are unchargedC.X has the same charge as the rodD.Y has the same charge as the rod, while X is either oppositely charged or uncharged✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Y has the same charge as the rod, while X is either oppositely charged or uncharged
Explanation: Repulsion proves Y is like-charged; attraction means X is opposite-charged or neutral.
- Q14Hard
You see a lightning flash and hear thunder 3 seconds later. The best explanation for the delay is:
A.Thunder happens after the lightningB.The storm is moving awayC.Light reaches you almost instantly, but sound travels much slower, arriving seconds later✓ CorrectD.Sound is faster than lightAnswer: C. Light reaches you almost instantly, but sound travels much slower, arriving seconds later
Explanation: Both occur together, but light's far greater speed makes the flash arrive before the slower thunder.
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Start this chapter free →Some Natural Phenomena — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 8 Science Some Natural Phenomena?+
This chapter covers two natural phenomena linked to charge and Earth's interior — lightning (static electricity) and earthquakes. Key ideas include Charging by rubbing, Electric discharge & lightning, Lightning safety, Earthquakes.
What does Class 8 Science Chapter 112 (Some Natural Phenomena) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 72 NCERT-based MCQs on "Some Natural Phenomena": 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard. Together they make 6 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "Some Natural Phenomena" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Some Natural Phenomena" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year on a launch offer until 1 December 2026. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Some Natural Phenomena" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 6 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Some Natural Phenomena" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 14 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Some Natural Phenomena" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Some Natural Phenomena (Class 8 Science)?+
The questions that matter most test Charging by rubbing, Electric discharge & lightning, Lightning safety, Earthquakes. This page shows 14 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations; all 72 questions on the chapter are available as timed quizzes once you sign in.
Is there an online quiz for Some Natural Phenomena?+
Yes — Class 8 Science Some Natural Phenomena has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.