Attract Lightning: Can You Use an Electro-Magnet?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the concept of using a negatively polarized electro-magnet to attract lightning during a positively charged lightning storm. Participants examine the nature of magnetism in relation to electrical charge and the mechanisms behind lightning formation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that a negatively polarized electro-magnet could attract lightning from a positively charged storm.
  • Another participant questions the terminology of "negatively polarized" in relation to electromagnets, stating that magnets have north and south poles rather than positive or negative charges.
  • A further contribution clarifies that storms do not have a polarization in the magnetic sense but develop voltage differences that can lead to lightning discharges.
  • It is noted that lightning is dependent on voltage and that storms separate charges into positive and negative regions, leading to discharges when breakdown voltage is reached.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the concept of using an electro-magnet to attract lightning, with some clarifying the nature of storms and lightning while others maintain their original proposition. The discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the terminology used for magnetism and the nature of electrical charge in storms, indicating a need for clearer definitions and concepts.

xthomasbhx
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Could you use a negatively polarized electro-magnet with a positively charged lightning storm to attract lightning to strike at your position?
 
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xthomasbhx said:
Could you use a negatively polarized electro-magnet with a positively charged lightning storm to attract lightning to strike at your position?

What do you mean by negatively polarized electromagnet? Magnets has both north and south poles there's no sense of positive or negative.
 
Like the magnet is polarized south and the storm is polarized north, could you cause lightning with that sceniro?
 
xthomasbhx, storms are not polarized. Storms do, however, develop voltage (charge) differences which, can cause a lightning discharge. No magnet will attract or repel voltage.

Lightning is voltage-dependent. Storms separate charges into positive and negative volumes. If a cloud was highly negative relative to the Earth below it, once the "breakdown voltage" was reached we expect a "spark" or lightning bolt would jump between those two charged volumes and therefore discharge that great imbalance (or, neutralize the difference in potential).
 

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