Why does lightning strike high places

These can include electric wiring or even just plumbing. To protect these buildings, the lightning rod is placed at the top of the building. The rod itself is made of highly conductive material such as copper and is connected to a wire that runs all the way down to the ground.

But the truth is the rods just act as a safer and more effective path for lightning and its associated current. Lightning does tend to strike the tallest object around. How cool is that? Open in Our App. Let us explore the facts behind this myth. Lightning stroke is initiated very high in thunderstorm clouds. Objects on the ground have very little influence on its travelling path, until the stroke comes to a distance very close to the ground.

It is true that taller object is more susceptible to lightning because of shorter air gap between the lightning stroke and the object. However, for any attraction effect to come into play, the lightning stroke has to be very close to the object. Myth : A lightning victim is electrified. Fact: The human body does not store electricity. It is perfectly safe to touch a lightning victim to give them first aid. This is the most chilling of lightning Myths. Imagine if someone died because people were afraid to give CPR!

Myth : If outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek shelter under a tree to stay dry. Fact: Being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than fried! Fact: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. This means staying off corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors and windows.

Windows are hazardous for two reasons: wind generated during a thunderstorm can blow objects into the window, breaking it and causing glass to shatter and second, in older homes, in rare instances, lightning can come in cracks in the sides of windows. Myth : If thunderstorms threaten while you are outside playing a game, it is okay to finish it before seeking shelter. Fact: Many lightning casualties occur because people do not seek shelter soon enough. No game is worth death or life-long injuries.

Seek proper shelter immediately if you hear thunder. Adults are responsible for the safety of children. Myth : Structures with metal, or metal on the body jewelry, cell phones,Mp3 players, watches, etc , attract lightning. Fact: Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where a lightning bolt will strike.

The presence of metal makes absolutely no difference on where lightning strikes. Mountains are made of stone but get struck by lightning many times a year.