no Lightning occurs and the building
remains harmless.
A lightning conductor works on the fact that
charges concentrate more at sharp points. It
helps to protect the buildings and other
structures from lightning strikes because
lightning tends to hit the highest object
within its region or path.
Example 01
Explain how the lightning conductor
protects the building from lightning strike.
Answer
When lightning strikes the conductor,
electric charges flow along the wire and are
dissipated to the ground where they cause no
harm thereby protecting the building.
Example 02
Explain why strips of a lightning conductor
are made of thick copper wires.
Answer
(i) This is because copper is one of the best
good conductors of electricity so it can
easily allow the negatives charges
(electrons) to pass through it to the
ground.
(ii) Thick copper wire offers a low
resistance to the flow of electrons
through it.
Example 03
Explain why it’s not advisable to touch the
copper strip of a lightning conductor when it
is raining.
Answer
To avoid electric shock caused by lightning.
When a negatively charged cloud passes
over a lightning conductor, negative charges
(electrons) are repelled to the ground
through the copper strip. These moving
electrons are electricity which can cause
electric shocks to a person touching the
copper strip.
Example 04
Explain why the handle of an umbrella is
made from a plastic material.
Answer
To prevent a person from electric shock
during lightning strike. This is because
plastic is an insulator, it does not allow
electric discharge from lightning to reach the
hands of the person holding the umbrella.
Example 05
Explain why a person is not advised to take
shelter under a tree when it is raining.
Answer
To prevent a person from lighting strike
When it is raining, lightning always strikes
tall objects. Most trees are tall and have
pointed tips therefore; therefore, there is a
high charge density at these sharp points. As
lightning strikes the tall tree, it can also
strike the person under it.
Example 06
Briefly explain why it is not advised to stand
near mountains, trees and tall houses during
Lightning
Answer
To avoid from being endangered by
lightning strikes: This is because the current
from lightning strike on the tree may jump
over you and follow your body towards the
ground resulting to severe damage or even
death
Example 07
Explain why it is more dangerous to walk
barefooted during lightning storm?
Answer
To prevent from lightning strike: Human
body is a good conductor of electricity,
walking barefooted during storm will
facilitate large amount of current from
lighting strike to pass through your body to
the ground causing severe damage or even
death.
Example 08
Explain why a person on the surface of the
Earth sees a flash of light before he she
hears sound during thunderstorm?
Answer
This is because the speed of light is greater
than the speed of sound. Light travels at
3×10
8
m/s while sound travel at 340m/s.
Example 09
(a) State why modern houses are installed
with lightning conductor?
Answer
To protect houses from being damaged
by lightning strikes
(b) Explain why the spikes of lightning
conductor are constructed very sharp at
their spike?
Answer
To ensure large amount of electrons
are concentrated on the sharp spikes
and safely grounded.
