How Does Lightning Transfer Between a Tree and a Person?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the physics of lightning, specifically how it transfers from a tree to a person nearby. The original poster is exploring concepts related to circuit analysis in the context of lightning strikes and the associated resistances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply Kirchhoff's laws to analyze the current flow and seeks constants related to the resistances of air and Earth. Some participants question the definitions and relevance of the resistances mentioned, particularly the resistance of air.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and questioning the assumptions made by the original poster. There is a mix of exploratory dialogue and clarification of concepts, but no consensus has been reached regarding the approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of resistance in the context of lightning, with some noting the high resistance of air and its implications for the phenomenon of lightning itself. The original poster's inquiry about constants suggests a need for specific information that may not be readily available.

Falcons
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I started working on some homework loosely based on circuit analysis and ran into a problem with lightning and trees and stuff. The question deals with lightning striking a tree and then "jumping" from the tree to a person standing nearby. It is a given that the person's resistance is negligible resistance compared to the air. Could someone help me with some constants?
A)Resistance of air
B)Resistance of Earth
I was going to try to create a loop and use one of Kirchoff's laws to find the current running through the person and was also wondering if this is an acceptable way to solve the problem.
Thanks!
 
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Earth will probably be the "ground". where does your current loop running through?
what do you mean by resistance of air? may be resistivity? but it won't get you anywhere because resistance is inversely proportional to area...
 
The resistance of air is extremely high. If it wasn't all the charge would just leak away and you'd never get lightning. Lightning happens when the field becomes strong enough to accelerate electrons to speeds where they can collide with air molecules and liberate more electrons. Once this happens the resistance can become very low.
 
Reminds me a quote by Albert Einstein:

“Make things as simple as possible, but not simpler"
 

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