Question

1. which explanation best illustrates the cause - and - effect relationship between lightning and molecules in the air to form nitrates?

o a) the energy from lightning heats up molecules, causing them to react to form new molecules (nitrates)
o b) the energy from lightning transfers into the fields around charges in the air. this causes attraction between charges and molecules in the air to form new molecules (nitrates)
o c) the energy from lightning causes molecules to move apart and come back together. when they smash back together they react to form new molecules (nitrates)
o d) the energy from lightning causes particles to break up to form new molecules (nitrates)

Explanation:

Lightning provides energy to heat - up air molecules, enabling them to react and form new nitrate molecules. Option a correctly describes this cause - and - effect relationship. Option b's description about field - charge attraction is not the main process. Option c's 'move apart and come back together' is not the accurate mechanism. Option d's 'particles break up' is not the typical way nitrates are formed in this context.

Answer:

A. The energy from lightning heats up molecules, causing them to react to form new molecules (nitrates)