Which statement about lightning is accurate?

Lightning is classified as a form of electrical discharge that exhibits characteristics similar to direct current (DC) rather than alternating current (AC). This is primarily due to the nature of the flow of electricity during a lightning strike.

In a lightning strike, there is a rapid discharge of electricity that produces a single, powerful pulse of energy, typically comprising a very high voltage and current over a very short period. This style of discharge resembles direct current, where the flow of electricity moves in one direction at a steady amplitude. In contrast, alternating current involves a periodic reversal of direction, which is not characteristic of a lightning strike.

While lightning can produce oscillations and electromagnetic waves upon discharge, which can generate some alternating current effects, its primary nature aligns more closely with direct current due to the one-directional nature of the electrical flow during the discharge event. Therefore, stating that lightning is more similar to direct current reflects an understanding of how it operates and behaves during a lightning strike.