A lightning strike might carry currents of up to how many amperes?

A lightning strike typically carries a tremendous amount of electrical current, often measured in thousands of amperes. The correct choice indicates that a lightning strike can indeed carry currents of up to 200,000 amperes. This figure highlights the extreme energy levels involved in natural phenomena such as lightning.

Lightning can create very high peaks of electrical current, which are enough to cause significant damage to structures and electronics, and can even result in fires or injuries. Understanding the magnitude of these currents is crucial in fields like meteorology, electrical engineering, and safety protocols concerning lightning strikes.

Other options present lower maximum values that, while reflective of actual lightning strikes, do not encompass the full potential peak seen in extreme cases. Recognizing that the upper end of lightning current can reach up to 200,000 amperes emphasizes the vast scale and intensity of electrical discharges in nature.