On the basis that water conducts electricity and 71% of Earth is covered by water, lighteneing MUST strike the oceans loads of times, so....... why don't all the fish get electrocuted???
2006-07-26 07:54:13 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
"Basically lightning stays more on the surface of the water rather than penetrating it. That's because water is a reasonably good conductor, and a good conductor keeps most of the current on the surface."
So, when lightning hits the water, the current zips across the surface in all directions. And if you're swimming anywhere in the vicinity, it'll probably hit you. But below the surface, most of the electricity is instantly neutralized. So the fish are generally spared.
Of course, if the fish happen to be surfacing, they're at risk just like you are. And some electricity does penetrate the water, right at the strike point.
2006-07-26 07:58:05 · answer #1 · answered by Kain 5 · 9⤊ 3⤋
In order to complete a circuit, you need the source and a ground... Water acts as a conductor and a ground. Since electricity disperses over the large area of water, it loses the concentration and the fish are only hit with a trivial amount if any at all.
2006-07-26 07:59:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ones in the area probably do! But the electric energy would dissipate after a while.
A very interesting question!
2006-07-26 07:57:46 · answer #3 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fish DO get elctrocuted. Poachers catch fish that way and trout farmers kill their fish that way. May be fish can sense the ionization prior to a lightening strike and move away.
2006-07-26 08:03:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
some probably do, but I think the fish swim deep enough so that the lightening doesn't reach them.
2006-07-26 07:59:00 · answer #5 · answered by Billy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe becos of their scales, but then the electric eel is known to shock its victims to death by letting out up to 2000v underwater, i guess its contradictory to an extent
2006-07-26 08:18:19 · answer #6 · answered by JBOY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do if on or close to the surface
2006-07-26 07:58:12 · answer #7 · answered by GIDDYUP 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because they are noy in contact with the ground
2006-07-26 09:48:23 · answer #8 · answered by penguin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because the have "finn"sulation. Crap I know....
2006-07-26 07:57:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 0⤋