What is a common misconception about lightning?

A common misconception about lightning is that it is caused by magnetic forces. However, lightning is actually the result of electrical discharges during thunderstorms, where the buildup of static electricity within storm clouds leads to a discharge in the form of a lightning bolt. This discharge happens as a result of differences in electric potential, not magnetic forces.

Understanding the nature of lightning involves recognizing that it primarily arises from cloud-to-ground or cloud-to-cloud electrical interactions. The movement of charged particles creates an electric field that can generate a lightning strike when the potential becomes great enough to overcome the insulating properties of the air.

Focusing on the other options, while lightning does often occur during storms, it is not exclusively limited to them; there are instances where lightning can happen in other conditions, such as volcanic eruptions. The idea that lightning strikes the tallest object is a simplification; lightning can and does strike objects of varying heights based on their conductivity and the surrounding environment. Lastly, lightning can occur in dry air, although it is less common due to the reduced ability of dry air to carry electrical charge when compared to humid conditions.