why does the lightening not always strike upstanding metal structures over flat plain surfaces.
2007-07-02 03:46:12 · 3 answers · asked by alissandra v 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Lightning is a static charge. So it could just be that the poles, while they are good conductors, aren't in an area of the ground where there's a high charge difference between the ground and the air.
2007-07-02 03:49:32 · answer #1 · answered by Brian L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lightning can strike any where, any place, almost any time. It DOES strike the same place twice, or 3 or 4 times! Lightning strikes seems to draw more lightning strikes.
Lightning, a form of electricity, comes in positive and negative. It goes cloud-to-cloud, air-to-ground, and ground-to-air. Whenever the difference between positive and negative becomes great, there will be a lightning flash. While they always caution people to never stand under a lone tree during a lightning storm, cattle, fences, anything standing above the ground can draw a bolt. But, it really goes for where there is the most disparity in electrical charges, thus hitting the ground or the open sea.
2007-07-02 04:23:47 · answer #2 · answered by Nothingusefullearnedinschool 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where the highest charge and path of least resistance is. Like water, things in nature take the course of least resistance.
2007-07-06 01:02:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋