Final answer:
The area of the cloud struck by cloud-to-cloud lightning is positively charged, as lightning strikes aim to neutralize the difference in electric charge between two oppositely charged areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you observe a cloud-to-cloud lightning strike, you can determine that the charge on the area of the cloud struck by lightning was positively charged. Lightning is a result of electrostatic discharge between areas of opposite charges. Given that lightning can occur between clouds, it indicates that one part of the cloud has accumulated a negative charge while another region, struck by this lightning, has a positive charge.
This is because lightning seeks to neutralize the charge difference, and therefore, a negatively charged area will discharge towards a positively charged one.When you observe a cloud-to-cloud lightning strike, it indicates that the area of the cloud struck by lightning had a negative charge.
This is because a cloud-to-cloud lightning strike occurs when there is a discharge of excess electrons between negatively charged clouds, rather than between a cloud and the positively charged ground. The negative charge on the cloud causes the lightning to occur.