Thunderstorms and Cars: Is Your Vehicle at Risk?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety of vehicles during thunderstorms, specifically whether a car can be struck by lightning and the implications of such an event for the occupants inside. The conversation touches on concepts of electrical safety and the properties of cars as protective structures during lightning storms.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether a car can be struck by lightning, with one stating that it is not likely to happen.
  • Others assert that a moving car can indeed be hit by lightning, referencing videos as evidence.
  • There is a clarification that "thunderbolt" refers to lightning, with participants discussing the safety of occupants inside a car during such an event.
  • One participant mentions that the metallic structure of the car acts as a shield, making it a safe place during a lightning storm, likening it to a Faraday cage.
  • Another participant agrees with the Faraday cage analogy, suggesting it is a well-known example of electrostatic shielding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether cars can be struck by lightning, with some affirming that they can while others suggest it is unlikely. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the initial claim about the likelihood of a car being hit by lightning.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not fully clarify the conditions under which a car might be struck by lightning, nor do they explore the implications of different types of storms or vehicle designs.

shiva999
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if a person is traveling in a car and there was thunderstorming rain, is there any possibility that thunderbolt hits the car?(i read that it is not going to hit the car)
 
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Yes. A moving car can be hit by lightning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGv20HGy1b8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emCcbawLVx4
 
Last edited:
i don't mean lighting
 
shiva999 said:
i don't mean lighting

What do you mean then ?
 
A thunderbolt is lightning. And, yes, a moving car can be hit although the person inside will be quite safe.
 
Last edited:
thanks for giving me answer
 
The car being a hollow metallic body, will shield the people inside. It's one of the safest places to be during a lightning storm.
 
thebiggerbang said:
The car being a hollow metallic body, will shield the people inside. It's one of the safest places to be during a lightning storm.

Something like Faraday's Cage Experiment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage
 
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