My house has been hit by lightening so many times that I have lost count......but there are other houses in the neighbourhood- so why mine? Some people claim that lightening is attracted to underground rivers. We have 2 laylines running through our house and since these are also associated with sub-terranian waterways- maybe there is a connection. Our house is elavated very slightly on a hill so subtle that you couldn't see it by the naked eye - so we are probably just about the tallest house by 2 inches. How does the lightening know to head for our roof- or could that underground water theory be true? If so, how can it spot underground water. Has it a brain?
2006-08-26 21:44:51 · 8 answers · asked by Sheila M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Thanks for the great question!
Lightening is the last result of the difference in electrical charge that is built up by the friction of moving air. As clouds swirl around, they build up a negative charge. This creates an electrical field that slowly builds up strength.
On the ground you have a positive charge. The two electrical fields attract each other because of their opposite electrical charges. The ground field follows the electrical lines of force that form between the two fields. It reaches up, charging objects on the ground as it is attracted to the negative field above. Like fingers reaching up to the clouds, the ground charge increases its voltage and the field expands upwards. Meanwhile, the negative field in the cloud reaches down. When the two fields reach a voltage that is sufficient, the positive and negative charged fields surge. Small blue precursors reach up from the ground, making a circuit to the clouds. The electrons flow down form the clouds in a lightening bold and the electrical fields are neutralized.
Objects on the ground act like aerials that are charged. The object could be a tree or a building, a house or a person. When the spark jumps between the fields, it will jump to the closest point of the opposite charge. A house even 2 inches higher than its neighbors will be the closest part of the electrical field that is used to equalize the fields.
;-D Be sure to put up a proper lightening rod, and check to be sure that it hasn't been melted by a lightening strike.
2006-08-26 22:22:06 · answer #1 · answered by China Jon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning is simply electricity. Nothing else. It is an energy current. It is not alive. The more dense the object, the better it conducts electricity. With the energy flow, it gravitates to the closest and most dense object. The water, of course, helps because water conducts electricity very well. If you are swimming and it starts to rain, you should get out of the water immediatly, because no matter where the ightining hits the water, it will travel to you because your body is more dense than the water. Also, you have to take into consideration, the materials your house is made of, the shape of your house and it's size. I am surprised they did not consider this when buliding the house. Architects have to take these things into consideration due to laws regarding safety. A house needs to be storm resistant, earthquake resistan, etc or the insurance will not cover you. In other words it has to be up to code or will will be condemned. At least that's the way it is where I live.
Centuries ago, Benjamin Franklin invented what I think is called a lightining rod. I'm not sure if that's the name for it but it runs up from the ground along the side of the house and extends over the roof. This is to ensure that if lightning does hit the house, it will hit the metal rod, travel down that rod and into the ground. If someone is leaning against that at that time, he is a goner. Houses have been built with these rods ever since and they are very common in rural areas where houses are not very close to eachother.
2006-08-27 05:06:59 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning is a lot of static charge, like when you get shocked touching a doorknob. It actually goes from the ground up as the high negative charge builds on the earth, the electrons jump to the clouds that are positively charged in a much larger and brighter flash than anything that has come off the tip of your fingers.
2006-08-27 04:57:11 · answer #3 · answered by roketman63 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lightning is caused by a build-up of positive energy that, when it discharges, seeks the least path of resistance to "ground". That is why your house should have lightning arresters installed. The space shuttle launch has been put off till Monday (now today) due to the lightning hit yesterday and the day before.
2006-08-27 04:56:13 · answer #4 · answered by Dusty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hardly, although you sound as though your home offers a number of conductors. You need to install lightening rods on your property and that is usually best left to a professional. I would do so if I was having as many problems as you with lightening.
2006-08-27 04:50:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Takes the shortest path. You on the side of a hill?
2006-08-27 04:52:34 · answer #6 · answered by thrag 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think it has got something to do with the negative or positive charge.
2006-08-27 04:53:01 · answer #7 · answered by Wolverine 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
light is electricity, so it's attracted to conductors.
2006-08-27 04:48:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋