Why is lightning more likely to strike a tree than flat earth?

Question

Explain how lightning is more likely to strike a tree first, as appose to flat earth.

Answer 1

It's higher and almost anything solid will attract lightening. Telephone poles, roofs, especially electrical poles.

The reason trees come up so much is people always warn you not to stand under a tree during a lightning storm. This is because, if you stand close enough to the trunk of the tree, the lightning will hit the tree, travel down the trunk and then jump to a wet person standing under the tree because the lightning is seeking the path of least resistance to ground and a wet person is lower resistance than the tree trunk.

If caught outside in a lightning storm, seek shelter in anything that has proper grounding. Most modern houses and buildings do, but beware of sheds and barns because they may have little or no grounding. Stay away from windows and doors. If the storm is really severe you might want to disconnect all electrical appliances from the wall sockets. Lightning can damage TVs, radios even refrigerators.

If you can't get into a grounded building, get to somewhere lower than your surrounding, like a little gully or a hollow. You might even consider crouching or laying down.

I once had to lay down in the middle of a golf course fairway and lightning hit a tree about 50 yards away. IT WAS LOAD!!!

Answer 2

Lightning needs to have a connecting point in order to arc or strike. Typically, a point or object that shortens the distance between lightning's original, cloud cover and the other end, ground or tree, would be the firs thing "hit" by the lightning. Since a tree is higher than the flat surface, it would be stricken before the ground.

Answer 3

From what I read and see on some of these science channels a majority of the lightning striking has lots to do with the LEADERS that come up from the ground, trees, high towers , etc, etc.

Many have been filmed in action. I didnt know this till two years ago and I am 50 years old.

Answer 4

Because it's higher and lightening will hit the highest point every time. That's why they have lightening rods on tall buildings in cities, it absorbs the lightening. The rod is grounded into the ground making the lightening redirect right into the ground rendering it harmless. So if your in an open field in a storm like that, stay away from trees and high rocks. It may be scary but you have to stay away from high ground and lay flat on the ground in the middle of all the open space and wait it out. I find closing my eyes makes me feel better and even if I did get struck I'd never see or feel it coming anyway.

Answer 5

Like the others said, a tall one. Lightning doesn't attract to a certain type. It's not a person or animal, it can't tell. Trees are just tall so that's what lightening hits.

Answer 6

because trees are higer and then the lightning hits whats closer so the tree is closer.
thanks
panther71