🚀 go-pugleaf

On Sun, 25 Sep 1994, Denis Chalifoux wrote:

> Hmmmm...  Perhaps it would be better to say...
>
> "Lightning rods MAY attract lightning."  I do agree with what is being
> discussed.  I am thinking about the cases when the potential difference is
> so great that the rod cannot provide the neutralizing charges fast enough.


Your statement above is probably the best answer to what happened to you
and your buddy on the mountain ridge.  By standing up straight, you
caused the static charge on the cmountain top to concentrate on the
highest point, you and your ice axes.  Since the charge couldn't
dissipate fast enough you became the points that got zapped.  The
grounding cable serves two purposes on a lightning rod.  I transfers
built up charge to the rod for neutralization and it provides a path for
any zaps that result from not being able to get rid of the built up
charge fast enough.

see below

>
> Also related, re: approaching the electrostatic generator with a needle...
> and also the mention of hot/cold? ligtning...
>
> It has happened several times that myself and my mountain climbing partner
> foolishly found ourselves on top of a ridge in the late afternoon with
> thundershowers (too much late night partying and a not-so-early start in
> the morning).  Both times involved a crackling sound of static discharge
> and faint purple corona, visible in daylight, at the end of our ice-axes
> that were wedged into the side of our rucksacks.  I could feel the hair on
> my head tingle (probably from standing up straight from fright!) and there
> was that distinct smell of burnt hair from my beard.
>
> On the first occasion the sensations passed quickly, except for the fear.
>
> On the second occasion, it started out the same with the corona on our ice
> axes (Iike a lightning rod?) but then my buddy was zapped, blowing off the
> bottom of his right boot.  The charge path was along the head of the ice
> axe, through the metal shaft (inside a wooden handle) then through his
> right thigh, to the calf and foot.  I don't know which way the charge
> flowed, but his leg was paralized for about 45 minutes.
>
> So, do lightning rods attract lightning...?
>
> - Denis
>
In July 1987 a number of physics teachers being trained as Physics
Teaching Resource Agents, (PTRA's) climbed(hard walking) to the top of
a mountain named after the indian princess that guided lewis and Clark to
the Pacific Ocean.  Sorry, I know the name but I can't spell it properly
without insulting the Princess.

        The group got to the top of the mountain and had a lunch break.
While we we on the top of the mountain we saw a thunder storm move in
from the south and then watched in horror as lighting repeatedly struck
the ridge about a mile or two away.  You never saw a bunch middle age
people move so fast in your life.  In less than a minute the entire group
was more than 200 feet below the top of the mountain and moving quickly
down the trail toward the cars.

Ed Henke