2007-12-08 16:26:47 · 7 answers · asked by Sasipal Kottarapatt 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Lightning occurs due to sparking between oppositely charged clouds or between oppositely charged cloud and ground.A high voltage spark rushes towards the ground(in the case of lightning between the cloud and the earth)through moisture-filled air.If any ground based structure is on the path of the spark,the top of the structure is excited to a high electrical potential while its bottom(in contact with the ground) remains at zero voltage.This high potential difference sets a very high current in the structure causing sudden heat generation in the material resuting in the destruction of the structure.
But,in a flying aeroplanes,there is nothing like a ground point which remains always at zero voltage.Hence even if hit by lightning,the plane's entire surface acquires the same high potential and due to lack of potential difference,no current flows and hence no destruction.
2007-12-08 22:13:56 · answer #1 · answered by Arasan 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes lightning does hit aircraft.
The Government has deliberately sent aircraft into severe thunderstorms to test the results.
Electricity always takes the path of least resistance and a metal fuselage is a much better conductor than air, so it just makes good sense they would be hit - often.
The results are rarely disastrous, but has on occasion caused devastating results. That is a reason for the research. An attempt to design aircraft that will have better assurance of surviving a strike.
Usually a strike causes little or no damage to the aircraft at all.
2007-12-09 00:37:29 · answer #2 · answered by Philip H 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A lightning strike on an aircraft normally does not damage the airplane, although it may leave a burn mark. The lightning energy travels through the metal skin of the aircraft and sometimes into other areas of the aircraft. In a few cases the energy has damaged electronic equipment in the aircraft, but only a few aircraft have received enough damage to cause a major problem with flying the plane. The skin of the aircraft can usually dissipate the lightning energy sufficiently to prevent problems.
2007-12-09 00:36:57 · answer #3 · answered by chewalter 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, lightning strikes aircrafts but causing no damage most of the times. The internal instruments and persons are isolated from the exterior. However this is not general. There have been some cases where lightning caused some damages.
2007-12-09 02:13:10 · answer #4 · answered by Asker 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Lightning strikes airplanes on a regular basis. But since they are not grounded not much damage is done, sometimes just a little scarring on the skin of the plane.
2007-12-09 00:32:37 · answer #5 · answered by Enchanted Gypsy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Lightning does strike an airplane, when on ground and in air. But, an airplane mostly flies above the cloud level when in air. If it's flying below cloud level or when it is on ground lightning can strike.
2007-12-09 01:52:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
planes are made of aluminium and it is a bad conductor of electric current.
2007-12-09 00:35:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋