Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 24: Problem 3

When caught in the open in a lightning storm, a person should crouch low with feet close together rather than lie flat on the ground. Why?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Crouching low with feet close together during a lightning storm reduces the risk of being struck. Lightning prefers the path of least resistance and is less likely to choose a small, low object over a larger or taller one. Moreover, this position limits the potential paths for the electric current to flow through the body if it gets struck.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding lightning

Lightning is a massive electrostatic discharge caused by unbalanced electric charge in the atmosphere. This unbalance is generated by storm clouds, which create an electric field. The electric charge takes the path of least resistance as it seeks to balance itself, meaning it targets the highest and most conductive object available, which is usually the ground, or objects on the ground.
02

Why not to lie flat on the ground

When a person lies flat on the ground, their body covers more surface area on the ground, increasing the likelihood of the electric current flowing through them. Lightning spreads out along the ground after it strikes, and a larger body surface area in contact with the ground increases the likelihood of electrocution.
03

Why to crouch low and keep feet close together

By crouching low, the person reduces their height and therefore, the possibility of being a direct target of lightning. Additionally, by keeping the feet close together, the person limits the potential routes for the electrical current to flow, reducing the risk of injury.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A watch uses energy at the rate of \(240 \mu \mathrm{W}\). What current does it draw from its \(1.5-\mathrm{V}\) battery?

A brownout occurs when an electric utility can't supply enough power to meet demand. Rather than cut off some customers completely, the utility reduces the voltage across its system. Brownouts are most likely on hot summer days, when heavy air-conditioning loads drive up demand for electricity. In a particular brownout, the utility reduces the voltage by \(10 \%.\) During the brownout, the power dissipated in conductors whose resistance is nearly independent of temperature a. decreases by approximately \(10 \%.\) b. decreases by approximately \(20 \%.\) c. decreases by approximately \(5 \%.\) d. You can't tell without knowing the resistance.

A power plant produces \(1000 \mathrm{MW}\) to supply a city \(40 \mathrm{km}\) away. Current flows from the power plant on a single wire with resistance \(50 \mathrm{m} \Omega / \mathrm{km}\) through the city and returns via the ground, with negligible resistance. At the power plant the voltage between wire and ground is \(115 \mathrm{kV}\). Find (a) the current in the wire and (b) the fraction of the power lost in transmission.

You're estimating costs for a new power line with your company's financial group. Engineering specifies a resistance per unit length of \(50 \mathrm{m} \Omega / \mathrm{km} .\) The costs of copper and aluminum wire are \(\$ 4.65 / \mathrm{kg}\) and \(\$ 2.30 / \mathrm{kg}\) and their densities are \(8.9 \mathrm{g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}\) and \(2.7 \mathrm{g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3},\) respectively. Which material is more economical?

The National Electrical Code specifies a maximum current of \(10 \mathrm{A}\) in 16 -gauge \((1.29-\mathrm{mm} \text { -diameter })\) copper wire. What's the corresponding current density?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Fields in Physics

Read Explanation

Mechanics and Materials

Read Explanation

Scientific Method Physics

Read Explanation

Linear Momentum

Read Explanation

Magnetism

Read Explanation

Rotational Dynamics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free