2006-12-12 14:56:32 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Rubber tyres are a very poor conductor. The lightning is trying to earth and seeks an effective path.
2006-12-12 15:04:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is NOT. I once saw a car in front of me get hit by lightning. The lightning went thru the trunk lid, thru the gas tank. The car exploded, the man ran off the road into a fence. The entire car was on fire, engine to trunk. People threw sand into the window that they broke open to keep the fire from burning the man inside. He was knocked out. Eventually the fire department came and put out the fire. And man was only burned a few places, the sand kept the fire from reaching his skin and clothes in most places.
I have seen one other time where lightning hit the road about 1 foot from a van driving down an interstate highway. I was behind the van. The lightning made the road explode, throwing asphalt into the side of the van and into my windshield. Fortunately neither of us were hurt, just some damage to our vehicles. Sounded like a bomb going off. And I could see the lightning go down to the ground. So much for lightning going UP.
2006-12-12 23:02:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Three reasons that I know of, first the rubber tires are poor conductors of electricity. second the car is shaped to funnel the lighting around you, and because the air isnt being ionized inside the vehicle the lighting wont strike directly into it.
2006-12-13 20:16:34 · answer #3 · answered by livesinboonies 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Car body which is sheet metal - will act as an cage... so current by lightining will pass thru the body and inside the car will be safe...
But, due to flammable fuel in the car... it is again dangerous..
2006-12-13 00:22:31 · answer #4 · answered by Crabby 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it astounds me how many people talk about the old rubber tire explanation when that is false. the reason you are not hurt is because the car creates a tunnel like thing. the lightning strikes the outside of the car, but you are on the inside so you arent hurt. my dad explained this to me telling me about when electricity was building on his plane. he said he wasnt worried about electrocution, but he was only worried about plane malfunction. the electricity wont touch you
2006-12-12 23:08:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
BCOZ CAR IS A KIND OF SHELL AND IT IS SAFE TO GO AND HIDE IN A SHELL (SHAPED) DURING A STORM.
2006-12-13 00:58:13 · answer #6 · answered by robgee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the rubber tires insulate the vehicle from ground (the Earth)
2006-12-12 22:58:11 · answer #7 · answered by SteveA8 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋