How lightning rods use static electricity?

Lightning rods depend on creating a path to ground that has lower resistance than surrounding objects. To accomplish this it takes advantage of two effects, one is locating the lightning rod above other objects so it is closer to the cloud and the other is to have a pointed end. read more

Lightning is a form of static electricity. It occurs when there is a potential difference between a charged cloud and the ground, or a potential difference between two clouds. The same principle applies when you walk across a carpet when humidity is low and you build up a charge that can be discharged on a doorknob or similar metal object. read more

Lightning rods depend on creating a path to ground that has lower resistance than surrounding objects. read more

Static Electricity 4: Static Electricity and Lightning introduces students to concepts about lightning and how they relate to static electricity. In this lesson, students explore a variety of websites to learn about lightning and then explain in their own words what causes lightning and how it is related to static electricity. read more