10 disastrous misconceptions about lightning

Since Benjamin Franklin began exploring the truth about lightning in 1752, there have been many false rumors about them. And here are 10 misconceptions about lightning.

Harmful myths about lightning

1. Lightning does not hit twice in one place

This sounds good, but that's not true.Lightning strikes many times in many places . For example, the Empire State Building was once used as a place for lightning experiments because of its special ability to attract natural currents from its atmosphere. A long metal rod was attached to the top of the building (444m long) to attract lightning and the building was struck from 25 to 100 times per year.

Furthermore, high-rise buildings will often attract more lightning , because during the storm, objects carrying electric charges on the ground will cause conflicts with the charge currents in the clouds.

2. Lightning is only dangerous in the rain

You can absolutely be the object of lightning even though it is still dry. According to the US Bureau of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, lightning often descends around 5km from the storm. Even the experts have given them some names like 'Green heterosexual lightning' - the type of lightning formed above the storm clouds that looks like a meteor and moves in the ionosphere about 40 km to 80 km or 'Elves deformed lightning ' often appears faintly flat like light emitted from an explosion about 402 km in diameter but only appears in a millisecond.

3. Using headphones makes you the target of lightning

When wearing headphones, you can be caught up in the music and make your voice uncomfortable, especially on the train or bus. But surely wearing headphones won't make you the target of lightning. Whether or not it is susceptible to lightning depends on the height like the case of the Empire State Building. Therefore, if you are less than 30m, please feel free to listen to music on the road. Besides, the cable in the headset also helps deflect the lightning from the heart.

4. Rule 30/30

The rule is that you should start counting after the lightning flashes. If you hear thunder in less than 30 seconds, you must quickly run into the house. Then wait about 30 minutes until the storm ends to turn out. Currently, experts no longer apply this rule because lightning is no longer easy to predict . Instead, just go inside, or find a sheltered place to get in, as soon as you hear thunder. However, waiting up to 30 minutes until the storm passes is still a good idea.

5. Automobile rubber tires will protect you

Cars are relatively safe and reasonable places to shelter in a storm. Most vehicles have wheels that use rubber tires. But don't be mistaken, tires are not what makes cars a good shelter.

The truth is that some inches of rubber in tires can't prevent you from being struck by lightning. What makes the car a safe place to hide is that it is covered on all sides. And so, motorcycles and similar vehicles are completely unsuitable for use when there is a rainstorm, even if it uses rubber tires.

6. Completely safe when moving indoors

Staying indoors with 4 walls and roofs is definitely safer than driving outside, but that doesn't mean that lightning won't come when you pass through the doorways. In fact, we should stay away from doors and windows as much as possible, as well as places where there is room for lightning to strike. And best of all, we should also stay away from electrical conductors while indoors. Try to unplug the power cord of devices such as TVs, computers, or other electrical devices.

Even plumbing and metal windows and indoor door frames can become lightning conductors. So wait for the storm to pass before bathing.

7. People can be charged

Some people often show that they are charged in the body. Because if you directly witness a person being struck by lightning, you assume that the person has been electrified but in fact, the person who is struck by lightning will not store electricity . And although lightning can cause heart failure, burns and nerve damage, most victims of lightning can survive if they receive timely rescue.

8. 'Greased Lightning' is a type of lightning

'Greased Lightning' is a song title. ' Greased' is also a way to describe things that happen too quickly. For example, when athlete Usain Bolt of Jamaica won the 200m athletics competition in London, people likened him to 'Greased Lightning'.

The term was first used in 19th-century English newspapers and an 1833 article with sentences "He spoke quickly like 'Greased Lightning '

9. If outside, lie down

Being trapped outside during a storm is frightening. Some people simply feel helpless and will curl up in the fetal position and cry. The good news is that this is actually quite close to what experts recommend we should do.

When lightning strikes, it can send an electrical current 30 meters down to the ground. So, if we are lying on the ground, it is very dangerous. Therefore, the best way is to sit down, hold your knees, bow your head forward and close your ears, keeping your body in contact with the ground as little as possible.

10. Benjamin Franklin and the kite

From 1752, Benjamin Franklin began to discover the truth about lightning / lightning. The inventor cum politician and scholar created a kite from a large silk handkerchief across two sticks, pointing through a metal cord attached to a piece of twisted rope and a hanging key. above. He conducted this experiment during a major storm and discovered lightning.

However, many people believe that it may not have happened. Suspects have resorted to a lack of evidence to support Franklin's experimental hypothesis. Without witnessing this event, only Franklin reported vaguely.