why?
2007-05-28 07:34:21 · 11 answers · asked by Baby Jack born 4/5/09 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
yes....when your car is hit by a lightning strike your car becomes a charged capacitor....The charge on a capacitor stays on the outside, so therefore it stays away from you, b/c u are inside...not to mention the insulation by the tires, seats, etc etc. So, again, yes it is a very safe place to be during lightning....not wind, but lightning yes.
You just have to be sure not to get out until you are sure that the electricity has been grounded before you get out...if there is still a stored charge on the car, it travels through you as soon as you step foot on the ground..........
Same idea as a vandegraf generator.
2007-05-28 07:42:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not a safe place at all, the safest place is in your swimming pool with the water all the way up to your neck holding the pool cleaner rod as high as you can. Or the other place you can be in is a very tall tree. Hope my answer helps.
2014-05-11 15:40:12 · answer #2 · answered by Connor 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is true unless you are parked under a large tree, then you run the risk of the tree being struck and knocking a branch or even the entire tree on top of it. Rubber is a very poor conductor, electricity just cannot travel through it. Don't expect rubber soled shoes to save you though, as a large enough jolt, say from touching a shorted out appliance, can arc or jump across the edge of the shoe to the floor. Electricity takes the path of least resistance. If you are sitting in a car during a lightning strike, the lightning will hit something near you that has an easier 'path'.
2016-05-19 23:25:52 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The second safest apparently:
Safe Vehicle
A safe vehicle is a hard-topped car, SUV, minivan, bus, tractor, etc. (soft-topped convertibles are not safe) . If you seek shelter in your vehicle, make sure all doors are closed and windows rolled up. Do not touch any metal surfaces.
If you're driving when a thunderstorm starts, pull off the roadway. A lightning flash hitting the vehicle could startle you and cause temporary blindness, especially at night.
Do not use electronic devices such as HAM radios during a thunderstorm. Lightning striking the vehicle, especially the antennas, could cause serious injury if you are talking on the radio or holding the microphone at the time of the flash. Emergency officials such as police officers, firefighters, security officers, etc., should use extreme caution using radio equipment when lightning is in the area.
Your vehicle and its electronics may be damaged if hit by lightning. Vehicles struck by lightning are known to have flat tires the next day. This occurs because the lightning punctures tiny holes in the tires. Vehicles have caught fire after being struck by lightning; however, there is no modern day documented cases of vehicles "exploding" due to a lightning flash.
2007-05-28 07:44:34 · answer #4 · answered by Ellie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes as the metal shell will conduct the current around u. The car I was in got hit and caused enough surge current to blow out the fuse for the lights. Another thing if u are in the Car and the wind gets up get to an open area like a parking Lott and turn the car into the wind. The car will be stable facing into wind to velocities of 150 mph.
2007-05-28 07:49:32 · answer #5 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The safest place to be during a lightning storm is inside. Buildings such as outhouses, lean-to shelters or other small non-metal buildings do not give enough protection.Go inside a house, school, or other building. Cars are better than being outside. The lightning current can flow through the metal frame of a car so if you are caught in a lightning storm while inside your car do not touch the exposed metal.
2007-05-28 07:44:34 · answer #6 · answered by Kimberley 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have heard it's because the rubber tires will ground you. I can't imagine it's the absolute safest place, but I would believe that it's safer than getting out of the car and being outside.
2007-05-28 07:42:27 · answer #7 · answered by Reject187 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, if you are in a lighting storm, that means that it is raining light bulbs.
If you are in a lightning storm, then yes, the car is safe because it is insulated.
2007-05-29 04:19:27 · answer #8 · answered by Bill W 【ツ】 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rubber on the tires prevents you from getting electrocuted
2007-05-28 07:41:57 · answer #9 · answered by tess 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, I believe it to be in the lowest part of your house, like the Basement. If, you don't have a Basement. Then in the Bathroom, in the Bath Tub.
2007-05-28 07:38:50 · answer #10 · answered by That one 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋