2006-07-23 04:46:35 · 7 answers · asked by Adi 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
It generally hits the top of a pole because it is the first thing it will come across searching for the path of least resistance. If the flat surface was higher than the pole (I don't know what kind of surface you are talking about, by the way) the lightning may hit it first. It also depends on what the items are made of. If the pole is made of metal (like a flagpole) and the surface is concrete, odds say that the pole will be struck first.
2006-07-23 04:58:01 · answer #1 · answered by rules27 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning will take the path of least resistance.
If a pole is there it will hit the top of it.
If a person with a golf club standing in water is an easier path it will go there.
It does strike flat surfaces if that is the easiest path.
They have been seen going over a mountain and down into a valley.
Here are 2 links for some more explanations.
http://www.chaseday.com/lightning.htm
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast05dec_1.htm
2006-07-23 10:01:30 · answer #2 · answered by beedaduck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason is that the intensity of an electric field around an object is proportional to 1/r^2, where r is the radius of the surface. At the tip of a pole, the effective radius is VERY small, so the greatest attraction to lightning will occur there.
2006-07-23 06:15:54 · answer #3 · answered by Steve 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning follows the easiest path no matter what it might be; a pole OR a flat surface
2006-07-23 04:50:27 · answer #4 · answered by Iron Rider 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it attracts metal and the poles are made of metal& think bout a microwave oven u'll get what I mean
2006-07-23 08:56:16 · answer #5 · answered by Summer25 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does hit flat surfaces....hits the ground all the time
2006-07-23 04:49:37 · answer #6 · answered by darkest queen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question but I cannot find the answer to it.
2006-07-23 04:57:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋