Lightning Bolts and Grounding

[dclary]

Ok.. If I'm holding a lightning rod in one hand, and my buddy's hand with the other hand...

If I'm wearing rubber shoes and he's barefoot, the lightning bolt will pass through me and into him before discharging into the earth through his feet, right?

Or do I have that all messed up?

[iembalm]

Depends on if you have a prosthetic tin hand.

[dclary]

That's the aforementioned lightning rod.

[Fortean]

Actually, the electrical charge, (or lightning bolt), transits from the ground and discharges into the sky, so the electrical potential would accumulate along the path of least resistance to the antenna, (or lightning rod): from the ground, thru your buddy's bare feet, his body, and his hand, into your hand, thru your torso, your other hand, and the lightning rod. He may be grounded, but your heart is in a dangerous place.

[OtisCriblecoblis]

Both of you are grounded: your bud through the feet, and you through your bud. The effect is the same as if there was no buddy and your hand was touching the ground directly -- you are still toast.

[rumely28]

The temperature of a lightning bolt is 10 times that of the surface of the sun. Between temp and amps, you're fried- all the moisture on the surface of your skin will instantly turn to steam. :eek

The reason you are safe in a car is not the rubber tires, it's the metal body that directs the charge around you instead of through you. To bad most cars now days are made of plastic. So what you are looking for is a way to transmit the charge from the lightning rod, around you, and into your soon-to-be fried friend. Some sort of solid metal object your friend is holding on to that is stuck to the lightning rod. Maybe lightning could magnatize the lightning rod? Anyway, that's where the Sci meets the Fi. Of course if your friend had a surge suppressor around his neck... :rolleyes

R28

[dclary]

Hmmm... So if I've got a metal fist... and my opponent stabs at me, and I block... and the sword goes INTO the metal fist... and lightning strikes at that instant?


Hmmmm.


Nope. If I can't buy the load of horse pucky, no way will I expect my readers to.



Thanks mucho.

[Ravenlocks01]

So Thor is in the script?

;)

[TrulyScrumptious123]

Clary,

Haven't you been told to play nice?;)

[rumely28]

There is a build up of magnetic engergy before a lightning discharge. Metallic objects can become magnetized. People sitting in boats will have their hair stand on end. Lightning doesn't always strike without warning. Those are the facts. How you use them is up to you.

R28

[Rembrandt Writes]

Electrical impulses, big or small, are a propogation of a wave of positively charged ions. It must be disippated by invading a negatively charged receptor, and then repolarize, completing the ciricuit. Anything that can conduct electricity in between will take part, and the amount of damage that results is related to the level of resistance and ability to absorb it...

YOU BOTH FRY

REMb

[velysai]

Well, don't know much about lightning, but in high school, my physics teacher set the class up in a human electricity-conducting chain, all sitting on wooden stools (so we wouldn't be grounded), holding hands. The first student in the chain was instructed to put a hand on this generator of some sort and the last student was supposed to lick his fingers and touch the metal faucet of the sink. ZAP! We all got shocked. Of course we had to do it a few times (and this was an honors class, too). We basically electrocuted ourselves over and over again, and afterwards, the hairs on our arms and necks were all sticking up and I was slightly shaking all the way into my next class. Anyway, all I have to say is that our teacher made us do it, honest!

[kahaokamoku]

Question: Do tires in a car or rubber soles on shoes protect you from lightning?

No. The lightning has traveled many miles to reach you; the extra inch of rubber offers no protection. The inside of a car is safer because the lightning travels around the car's metal frame to the ground. Rubber soles on shoes offer no protection from lightning.

www.lightningstorm.com/tux/jsp/faq/index.jsp

[12 Pack]

300,000 Volts GROUNDs wherever it wants!

[alipali]

Question: Is it safe to use the telephone during thunderstorms?
Corded telephones are not safe and should not be used during thunderstorms. The usual way that current enters a telephone is through the wire. Cloud-to-ground flashes tend to hit tall objects such as utility poles. When a pole is struck, its current enters a building through the wiring, then to the phone, and then straight to your head. Cell phones and cordless phones are safer, but be sure to stand away from the cordless phone's base as a strong current can possibly arc a few feet from the base to the handset. There is still a risk of ear damage from loud static and "pops" associated with cell phone and cordless phone use during thunderstorms.

from url 2 posts up.

freaky!