Mysteries of the Lightning Rod Underground

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    Lightning Rod
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior and effects of a lightning rod that has been underground for approximately 200 years. Participants clarify that while lightning rods, made from highly conductive materials like copper and iron, effectively conduct electrical energy to the ground, they do not store energy. The absence of plant life and insects around the rod is attributed to the toxicity of copper and the nature of static electricity. Additionally, the sensation of hair standing up near the rod is explained as a result of static charge accumulation on the body, not the rod itself.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of lightning rod functionality and materials
  • Knowledge of static electricity principles
  • Familiarity with the effects of electrical conductivity in metals
  • Basic awareness of historical experiments with lightning conductors, such as those by Benjamin Franklin
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of copper and its effects on the environment
  • Learn about the principles of static electricity and its practical implications
  • Explore historical accounts of lightning experiments, particularly Benjamin Franklin's work
  • Investigate modern lightning rod technology and its advancements
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for electrical engineers, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in the historical and scientific aspects of lightning rods and static electricity.

sevitha heshan
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I want to know when the lightning rod in the under ground about 200 years, what happens it..? specially want to mention it has been hit by more and more lightnings... so is it contained some energy source...? and there are no any plants that grown up... and even there are no any insects close in lightning rod... so... why is it happened..? advance in thank.
 
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so lighting is very strong so it can hit anything:oops:
 
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it's k... no problem... but I mean... it has been happening for 200 years. so... can it ( lightning rod in the under ground) be contained some energy source...? that is the thing I want to know... !
 
Any highly conductive material, ordinary metals like iron can serve as a lightning conductor.
If lightning hits the above ground part, the electrical energy of the lightning is conducted through it 'to Earth'
The energy (in the form of electron flow) is only briefly present within the rod, it then very rapidly dissipates into the ground.
 
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sevitha heshan said:
I want to know when the lightning rod in the under ground about 200 years, what happens it..? specially want to mention it has been hit by more and more lightnings... so is it contained some energy source...? and there are no any plants that grown up... and even there are no any insects close in lightning rod... so... why is it happened..? advance in thank.
If it is copper, that is toxic to life.
 
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tech99 said:
If it is copper, that is toxic to life.
Thank you...
 
rootone said:
Any highly conductive material, ordinary metals like iron can serve as a lightning conductor.
If lightning hits the above ground part, the electrical energy of the lightning is conducted through it 'to Earth'
The energy (in the form of electron flow) is only briefly present within the rod, it then very rapidly dissipates into the ground.
Thank you for giving this answer. I just want to know one thing, when I go it ( l-rod) closely my hair stands up... why is it happened?
 
sevitha heshan said:
Thank you for giving this answer. I just want to know one thing, when I go it ( l-rod) closely my hair stands up... why is it happened?

.presumably you mean during a storm ?
if so, not a wise thing to do

there should be no electrostatic charge on the rod at any other time that would cause your observation
 
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davenn said:
.presumably you mean during a storm ?
if so, not a wise thing to do

there should be no electrostatic charge on the rod at any other time that would cause your observation
Thank you... May be you are correct. But the man whom I know has a l-rod which has electrostatic charge.. so.. Can you believe it? what is that? why is it happened? Is there a any worth of it? In my first question I mentioned it is old more 200 years...
 
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sevitha heshan said:
Thank you for giving this answer. I just want to know one thing, when I go it ( l-rod) closely my hair stands up... why is it happened?

It's entirely possible that you are the one with the charge. Do you wear wool clothing and rubber soled shoes? You could be picking up charge just from walking around. When you approach the rod the charges on your body will try to escape you and go to ground. The l-rod is innocent. This is all perfectly harmless.

sevitha heshan said:
Is there a any worth of it?

Static electricity does not involve much energy. There's nothing worth harnessing if that's what you are asking.
 
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  • #11
For those who, like me, are fascinated by lightning, there is a very readable account of Benjamin Franklin's experiments with lightning conductors at the URL given below, including some interesting photographs. His designs are close to today's standards.
http://www.meteohistory.org/2004proceedings1.1/pdfs/01krider.pdf
 
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  • #12
Aaron Crowl said:
It's entirely possible that you are the one with the charge. Do you wear wool clothing and rubber soled shoes? You could be picking up charge just from walking around. When you approach the rod the charges on your body will try to escape you and go to ground. The l-rod is innocent. This is all perfectly harmless.
Static electricity does not involve much energy. There's nothing worth harnessing if that's what you are asking.
Great... thank you explaining for me...
 
  • #13
tech99 said:
For those who, like me, are fascinated by lightning, there is a very readable account of Benjamin Franklin's experiments with lightning conductors at the URL given below, including some interesting photographs. His designs are close to today's standards.
http://www.meteohistory.org/2004proceedings1.1/pdfs/01krider.pdf
Thank you supporting me...
 

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