What happens to the current when lightning strikes a swimming pool?

[klng]

Hi all,

In response to the above question, i read somewhere before that when lightning strikes a pool, or the sea, the current will dissipate along the water surface. The current will penetrate only to a small depth into the water.

A simple search on Google throws up the simple explanation "The Skin Effect". Lightning is described as a high frequency Alternating current.

Can i have some help to explain - in simple terms - this spreading of current over water surface?In addition, how far on the water surface does the current actually spreads out?

Thanks. Physics Forums rock!

 

[Delphi51]

Thank you for a most interesting topic!
I recall that lightning charges go up and down between the surface and the thundercloud - quite a large distance - so the frequency is probably way too low for the high frequency skin effect.

But take a look at http://analogengineering.com/lightning/surface.html
It DOES go along the surface of the water. Looks like you could survive a strike by staying underwater. There is quite a good technical explanation there.

 

[klng]

Thanks Delphi 51! Physics forums beat any textbook hands down.