about

For the most part I'm good with car and animal related questions, but I'll answer other stuff if its something I feel I know enough about.
Ask me anything, and I'll give it my best shot.

Just dont ask me anything about the chances of you being pregnant.

Or if s/he likes you or not.

Or if you're fat. (I'll say yes no matter what)

advice

Ok, I have a question that has been bothering me for a while.
If something like this happens, which it probably does on a regular basis:
http://icons.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/d/dottiedal/46.jpg
Does everything in the area get electrocuted because it's conducted by water? And if so, if you're close enough, in a boat made out of steel or something that conducts electricity, would you get electrocuted? And how far away would you have to be to not get electrocuted and why? I'm not the best at physics, but I'm imagine electricity has something similar to a half-life?

I am not an expert, but no i do not think that everything in the immediate water gets electrocuted. Water is not really that great of a conductor, so the shock (i think) would be "blunted". i also believe that the electricity would disperse rapidly, and that a fish 20 yards away might just feel a little twinge.
so yes, i do think that lightning only has a severe impact on things it stikes and things very close to what it strikes. (this is different from half-life by the way, half-life is used for dating artifacts)
as for being in a boat, the only reason the lightning struck the water, is because there was nothing closer (higher up) to discharge on...like a boat.
baaad idea to be in a boat on the water in a storm.
-L

[view]


(Rating: 5) Thanks, lol but by half-life I meant in a exponential decay sort of sense.

<<< Previous Advice Column
Next Advice Column >>>

eXTReMe Tracker