Is it true that lightning wants to strike the tallest things?

Answer 1

That is absolutely true, and very well documented. The great majority of lightning strikes are cloud-to-cloud strikes and do not strike anything on the ground. A certain percentage of lightning strikes, however, do strike objects that are standing on the ground.

Cloud-to-ground strikes, as these are called, always and invariably tend to strike the tallest object within a given radius. Thus an isolated tall building or tower casts a cone-shaped "lightning shadow" over the surrounding area. If you are in a single story house near a 1,000 foot tall TV tower, the chances of your house getting struck by lightning are very slim. The lightning will be attracted to the tall tower, instead.

This is why it is considered dangerous to swim in a lake or river if a lightning storm is brewing. The water surface is very flat, and your head may be the highest point in the area. Zaappp!

Answer 2

It is true that lightning, like any electrical current, will take the path of least resistance to ground. Air is a fairly high resistance. Objects such as trees, buildings and people have less resistance than the air. The higher the object the less high resistance air the lightning has to go through to find it's way to the earth.

Answer 3

Yes lightnings dont want to strike but they just strike the tell things

Answer 4

Lightning likes to take the easiest path to ground.

Often that turns out to be the highest thing, especially if made of metal (lightning rod). But could be a water-logged, wet tree. Trees have big root system in the wet ground....

HOWEVER, if you think it will only strike the highest, so you carry metal frame umbrella, bling large wristwatch, gold chain necklace and medallion, steel toe cowboy boots with metal spurs, and your big custom wrangler belt buckle.....you could get ZAPPED in your macho security about the taller objects taking YOUR hit.

Even worse, if you take shelter under one of those tall trees. After the lightning hits the tree, it will come out for you preferentially....

Take your walkman headset off too.

Bleachers may be lower, but they usually have metal support structure....

Answer 5

yes, in a way...

The lightning would take the easiest path from point "a" to point "b" (like ground to the cloud). and since eg. a tree is grounded, and usually full of sap and wet from the rain, it'll be a good conductor for the electricity to flow quickley and easy.

But lightning can be unpridctable, and can sometimes bounce, so anything can be possible.

Answer 6

Yes.That is why the tallest buildings usually have lightning arrester at the top most point.

Answer 7

Yup, so the worst place to take refuge in a lightning storm turns out to be a church. Tall, pointed sprire, metal cross on top. Perfect. Hiding in dingy bars is much safer.

Answer 8

As stated above, lightning takes the past of least resistance to the ground.

However, lightning doesn't "want" that, as it's not sentient; it merely behaves that way.

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

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