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Answers to Readers' Questions on Physical Science:

Static Electricity Lightning

The following 3 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.

List of first 10 items

• Is lightning a form of static electricty?
• Why isn't lightning used to produce electricity?
• Got shocked when lightning struck elsewhere

Next 10

Is lightning a form of static electricty?

Question

November 17, 2009

Is lightning form of static electricty?

Lydia - Australia

18674

Answer

Lightning is caused by a great buildup of static electricity in clouds. It is a giant version of the static spark that may jump from your finger.

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Why isn't lightning used to produce electricity?

Question

September 23, 2009

LIGHTING CONTAINS LARGE AMT OF ENERGY. BUT WHY IT IS NOT USE TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY..........?

HARI - India

18368

Answer

The problem with harnessing lightning to produce electricity is that it is so unpredictable. Thunder and lightning storms happen only occasionally. Also, to use the power, you would need to have the lightning strike a structure that would then store and transmit the energy. Rarely does lightning strike the same building within a single year, so that is not practical either.

However, people have tried to harness the energy. Perhaps some day a clever person will be able to use the static electricity from a storm to produce electricity.

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Got shocked when lightning struck elsewhere

Question

August 25, 2009

I and my brother were laying on a deep freezer in our shop and suddenly there was a lightening and we were shocked by an electric current. there was no available electricity as at that time. i want you to tell me what had happened

Korim - Nigeria

18201

Answer

Lightning sends out strong electromagnetic waves that can create current in metal. This is especially the case if the freezer was plugged in, even if there was no electricity to it. In a thunderstorm, they often recommend unplugging your computer, because the electric surge can burn it out, even if it is not on.

You probably experienced a surge from the electromagnetic waves from the lightning.

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