Could I make glass with sand in a mold struck by lightning?

Question

If I observed all the safety protocalls, and filled a metal mold with sand, that was connected between a lightning conducter and earth, would the sand turn to glass in the mold when lightning struck the conductor?

Answer 1

Theoretically, it is possible. However, it is a difficult engineering project to get it to heat the mold correctly. In addition, you will have to somehow retain the heat while channeling away the electrical current.

Just so that you know, lightning strikes do produce glass tubes naturally on rare occasion when lightning strikes sandy soil. The resulting glass is called fulgurite.

Answer 2

Forming and shaping glass requires high and sustained heat; therefore, it's unlikely that you could create glass from a lightning strike. First, the electrical discharge will travel the path of least resistance: through the metal mold and not the sand. Furthermore, since lightning is virtually an instantaneous strike, the heat transfer from the metal mold to the sand would also be instantaneous. The core of your mold would likely remain sand, with only a very thin layer of glass formed at the metal/sand interface, if at all.

Answer 3

No. The lightning would probably just go down into the earth. Current prefers the least resistant path. The short exposure is unlikely to heat the sand enough to form glass.

Answer 4

Lightning will melt sand. Thus Glass.
This Glass is very Brittle and not well formed.
I Have a few tubes of the stuff
from the Beach where lightning has travled asross the sand.

Answer 5

no! Despite a lightning bolt having a high temperature, it contains no prolonged heat, so it could not alter the sand in such a short time!

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

no you muppet. get a life & learn to recyle & put the toilet seat down after use! egor!