A stroke of lightning is most similar to which of the following?

A stroke of lightning is most similar to a static spark because both phenomena involve a sudden release of electricity. Lightning is essentially a high-voltage discharge of electricity that occurs between clouds or between a cloud and the ground. Similarly, a static spark occurs when electrical charges build up in one location and are suddenly discharged to another object or ground, creating a brief and powerful burst of electricity. The two share characteristics in terms of their nature as transient electrical events, driven by the buildup and release of electrical charge. This similarity highlights the basic principles of electricity, charge separation, and discharge that apply to both lightning and static electricity phenomena.

In contrast, a power surge typically refers to a sudden increase in electrical voltage, which can occur in electrical systems but isn't analogous to the instantaneous discharge characteristic of lightning. An electrical discharge encompasses a broader range of phenomena, and while it includes both lightning and static spark, it is less specific to the conditions present in a lightning strike. A magnetic pulse relates to changes in magnetic fields and does not involve the direct release of electrical energy in the way that lightning and static sparking does.