You are riding a bicycle aross a field when lightning strikes the field. Will you get electrocuted due to your bicycle's metal frame? Will the rubber tires insulate you from the intense shock? Or, is there some other reason why you will or will not get toasted?
2007-07-14 14:44:16 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Don't ride your bike in a thunderstorm!!! If you are on an open road or in an open field, you are a target for lightning. You are sticking up above the ground on a piece of metal like a lightning rod. The lightning will strike you rather than anywhere else on the flat ground. The tires of a bike are not significant insulation from the ground. It's only about an inch from the metal wheel to the ground, and the voltage of a lightning bolt will jump this gap like it was nothing. Also, the tires will be wet, and the water on the tires will conduct the current. Even if the lightning does not hit you directly, but strikes something nearby, you can be toasted by stray current.
2007-07-14 15:41:08 · answer #1 · answered by mr.perfesser 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the lightning strikes the ground, you'll be fine as the Earth will absorb all that charge. The Earth is the Universal Ground.
But if you're pedaling through an open field, it's more likely to strike you as you are the tallest object around.
Assuming you aren't incinerated by the lightning bolt's plasma, you may survive. It's current that kills, not voltage. So even though the lightning has raised your voltage, you'll be okay as long you keep on pedaling. The bike's rubber tires insulate you from the Earth. If you make contact with the Earth, you'll create a circuit and the insanely high amperage will cause your heart to stop, killing you. So whatever you do, don't stop pedaling or get off the bike.
But in all seriousness, you'd have third degree burns all over your body, so death would be a sweet release at that point anyhow.
Bottom line, don't ride your bike in a thunderstorm kids!
2007-07-14 22:09:20 · answer #2 · answered by stork5100 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rubber tires do not provide a significant degree of insulation from lightning. The voltage is high enough to break down the air for thousands of feet. What difference will the inch the arc has to jump from a spoke to the ground make? You're basically riding a mobile lighting rod.
2007-07-14 22:45:59 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are riding a bicycle across a field and a random arc of lightening strikes the field....
You will be fine unless you are close enough to the bolt for it to arc through you to the ground... the bolt WILL go through you if you are the NEAREST point from creation to termination of the bolt...
You are dead if the bolt arcs through you... you will likely explode. I was a lifeguard for a few years and have seen a lightening bolt hit a pool of water... the water actually explodes because the lightening has enough energy to break the bonds water: H2O + energy > H2 + 02. No telling what other chemical bonds will be overcome in your body.
2007-07-14 23:50:10 · answer #4 · answered by bluecuriosity 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it could strike you, I have seen numerous videos of cars being struck by lightning
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8587449460477072646
2007-07-14 21:50:12 · answer #5 · answered by B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES!!!!!!!
It can KILL you
2007-07-14 21:51:39 · answer #6 · answered by just me 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋