Periodic-als science and news
Topic Selected: When will lighting strike?
Why did you choose this topic?
The reason why I chose this topic was because it really interested me. I love weather and natural desasters. It just grabs my attention.
Why is this topic currently a news headline?
I think one of the many reasons why this is in the news is because it still kind of is a mystery and questions the world. It is also something that amazes the world. It deffinatly amazes me.
Why did you choose this topic?
The reason why I chose this topic was because it really interested me. I love weather and natural desasters. It just grabs my attention.
Why is this topic currently a news headline?
I think one of the many reasons why this is in the news is because it still kind of is a mystery and questions the world. It is also something that amazes the world. It deffinatly amazes me.
facts source 1
- Being stuck by lightning is very unlikley
- Lightning is caused by an electrical charge in the atmosphere that is unbalanced
- The movement of rain and ice inside a thundercloud creates an electrical charge, with the negative charge (electrons) forming at the bottom of the cloud and the positive charge (protons) forming at the top.
- Opposites attract so the negative charge at the bottom of the cloud seeks out a positive charge to connect with.
- Lightning can occur inside clouds, between clouds and from clouds to the ground.
- Around one quarter of lightning is from cloud to ground.
- When lightning strikes the ground it seeks out the shortest route to something with a positive charge, this might be a tree, a tall building or if they’re very unlucky, a person.
- Thousands of people are struck by lightning every year.
- Direct lightning strikes are usually fatal.
- Lightning rods (also called conductors) are metal rods or similar objects that divert lightning safely to the ground, they can often be seen at the top of tall buildings.
- Most lightning occurs over land rather than oceans, with around 70% of it occurring in the Tropics.
- There are bolts of lightning striking somewhere on Earth every second.
- Lightning strikes usually last around 1 or 2 microseconds.
- The sound of thunder is always caused by lightning
weather report
When Lightning Strikes
It is very unlikely for someone to be stuck by lightning. Lightning strikes can produce severe injuries, and have a rate of between 10% and 30%, with up to 80% of survivors sustaining long-term injuries. These severe injuries are not usually caused by thermal burns, since the current is too brief to greatly heat up tissues; instead, nerves and muscles may be instantly damaged by the high voltage producing holes in their cell membranes.
In a direct strike, the electrical currents in the flash channel pass directly through the victim. When lightning strikes it causes the surrounding air to ionize and break down, and the external flashover diverts most of the main discharge current so that it passes "around" the body, reducing injury.
Metal objects in contact with the skin may "concentrate" the lightning's energy, given it is a better natural conductor and the preferred pathway, resulting in more serious injuries, such as burns from molten or evaporating metal. At least two cases have been reported where a strike victim wearing an iPod suffered more serious injuries as a result. However, during a flash, the stroke current flowing through the channel and around the body will generate a very high risk of getting seriously injured, which may induce to surgerys within the nervous system or the heart.
Another effect of getting struck by lightning is to their hearing. The resulting shock wave (noise) of thunder can damage the ears. We will never know when lighting strikes, but it is good to be prepared on a rainy day. It is very important to know your stuff. Here are some facts you should probably know about trying to avoid getting struck by lighting. Never go swimming on a rainy day. If lighting ever strikes water it will effect everything that the water is touching. It is a good idea not to be walking outside in the rain with any type of metal object or even barefoot. Anything metal connects with lightning. Lightning can strike anywhere, and you can be next.
It is very unlikely for someone to be stuck by lightning. Lightning strikes can produce severe injuries, and have a rate of between 10% and 30%, with up to 80% of survivors sustaining long-term injuries. These severe injuries are not usually caused by thermal burns, since the current is too brief to greatly heat up tissues; instead, nerves and muscles may be instantly damaged by the high voltage producing holes in their cell membranes.
In a direct strike, the electrical currents in the flash channel pass directly through the victim. When lightning strikes it causes the surrounding air to ionize and break down, and the external flashover diverts most of the main discharge current so that it passes "around" the body, reducing injury.
Metal objects in contact with the skin may "concentrate" the lightning's energy, given it is a better natural conductor and the preferred pathway, resulting in more serious injuries, such as burns from molten or evaporating metal. At least two cases have been reported where a strike victim wearing an iPod suffered more serious injuries as a result. However, during a flash, the stroke current flowing through the channel and around the body will generate a very high risk of getting seriously injured, which may induce to surgerys within the nervous system or the heart.
Another effect of getting struck by lightning is to their hearing. The resulting shock wave (noise) of thunder can damage the ears. We will never know when lighting strikes, but it is good to be prepared on a rainy day. It is very important to know your stuff. Here are some facts you should probably know about trying to avoid getting struck by lighting. Never go swimming on a rainy day. If lighting ever strikes water it will effect everything that the water is touching. It is a good idea not to be walking outside in the rain with any type of metal object or even barefoot. Anything metal connects with lightning. Lightning can strike anywhere, and you can be next.