would it be safer to remain in you car or oudside of it in an electrical storm and why?
2006-11-06 13:40:39 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
pops is almost right except for his statement to not touch any metal parts. the steel body acts as a faraday cage when it is charged by electricty. what that means it that every part of that car is at the same voltage. which means that you are also charged to the same voltage with it since its impossible to avoid touching metal while you are sitting in a car[ the seat springs at least will contact you through the fabric]. since there is no voltage difference between any two parts of the car there can be no current flow and so no shock. your body will be charged to whatever level that is passing through the car to ground but you will not be part of the circuit. think of being behind a big rock in a fast moving river. you're wet but not moving since you're out of the current. about the same thing happens in your car. as long as you do not touch anything outside like the ground with your foot or a tree branch with your hand you're fine.
2006-11-07 01:49:50 · answer #1 · answered by glen t 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In an electrical storm, stay in the car. IF the lightning hit the car it will travel around the body of the car and exit to the ground. DO NOT touch ANY metal part while the storm is raging. Cars DO get hit by lightning even tho they have rubber tires.
In a WIND storm such as a tornado, the best bet to get to a safe place because the wind will destroy the car. A safer place, then in the car, is in a deep ditch beside the road....but don't get washed away!!!
Good luck. Pops
2006-11-06 14:59:57 · answer #2 · answered by Pops 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually if you stay in your car the electrical current does not ground out through your tires. If you are staying in your car and the car gets hit you will lose all electrical instumentation. You have to be able to drive the car and tap into a stop sign or a guardrail to transfer the charge. Rubber is a non conductive material so the electricity will never even make it to the tires, to ground out.
2006-11-08 17:59:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inside the car is safer as the tires are non conductive, meaning it insulates you from ground. Very similar to staying in your car when power lines fall in the road.
2006-11-08 02:51:27 · answer #4 · answered by Alright! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's always a good idea to stay inside your car. That way you are grounded by the tires, so if lightning struck your car, you won't get elecrocuted.
2006-11-06 19:11:00 · answer #5 · answered by flirtykitten444 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inside the car, the rubber tires insulate your from the ground so that if even the car gets struck it will not make you a crispy critter.
2006-11-06 13:45:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would stay in the car, personally.
2006-11-06 14:06:40 · answer #7 · answered by Lloyd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pops has the right answer.
2006-11-06 16:13:28 · answer #8 · answered by luther 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
listen to 'Pops' he knows what he's talking about.
2006-11-06 17:23:01 · answer #9 · answered by robsta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋