Britany+Davidson

=//Lightning!!!!! //= Many people tried to copy the lightning experiment with the metal rod.

As news of the experiments, others attempted to replicate it. However, experiments involving lightning are always risky and dangerous. One of the most popular accidents during the spate of Franklin imitators was that of a proffessor in Russia. He created a device similar to Benjamin Franklin, and was attending a meeting when he heard thunder. He ran home with his engraver to capture the event. According to reports, while the experiment was going on, lightning appeared and collided with Richmann's head, killing him. Although from the time of Benjamin Franklin showed that lightning was a discharge of static electricity, there was little improvement in understanding lightning for more than 150 years. The new research came from the field of power: as power lines came, engineers needed to know much more about lightning in order to protect lines and equipment. In 1900,a scientist named Tesla generated artificial lightning by using a large coil, enabling the generation of enormous high voltages sufficient to create lightning. = =

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What causes lightning?
= = Lightning is made in thunderstorms ice above the coldest levels collides with liquid, and build up large electrical fields. Once these electric fieldsget bigger, a giant "spark" occurs like static electricity. The lightning spark can occur between a cloud, between the cloud and air, or between the cloud and ground. cloud-to-ground lightning usually occurs near the updraft region (where the darkest) clouds are, and the rainy region Sometimes, however, the lightning bolt can come out of the side of the storm, and strike a location, seemingly coming out of the clear sky. As long as a thunderstorm continues to make lightning, you know that the storm is still active and is still producing precipitation. The temperature inside a lightning bolt can reach 50,000 degress F, hotter than the surface of the sun. Objects that are struck by lightning can start a fire, or show little or no evidence of burning at all.** Lightning is produced when liquid and ice particles above the freezing level collide and build up electric fields in clouds. once this field becomes large enough it causes an electric spark in the clouds. ** = = What damages does lightning cause?

= = //** It is difficult to estimate lightning losses, it is estimated that $4-5 billion damage occurs each year, the cost of lightning protection to safeguard critical equipment and facilities from lightning strikes during severe weather is enormous. Some damages include electrical fire that could burn a house. A lightning bolt destroying your tv or any electronics. and electrical destruction **//.

=What lightning does to people. =

= = ==== National weather service predicted 3,239 deaths and 9,818 injuries from lightning strikes between 1959 and 1994. 20% of lightning victims are immediately struck dead. //Doctors don't know how to treat lightning victims.// Most doctors are more familiar with electrical shocks, such as electricians having a run in with electricity But lightning injuries are not the same as electrical shocks. For one thing, the contact voltage of a typical electrical shock is 20 to 63 kilo volts, while a lightning strike delivers about 300 kilo volts. ==== = = =Is Lightning Hot? =

= = //** Lightning is super hot a flash can heat the air around it to temperatures five times hotter than the sun’s surface that is really hot. This heat causes surrounding air to expand and vibrate, which creates the thunder we hear a short time after seeing a lightning flash. **// =Unusual lightning facts. =

= =
 * ** // Every second there are 50 to 100 cloud to ground lightning strikes world wide. // **
 * ** A giant is a lightning strike that hits the ground 20 miles away from the storm but close enough to feel the shake. **
 * ** Thunder can only be heard 12 miles from the //storm.// **
 * ** // The size of a lightning bolt is only about the size of a half-dollar .// **
 * ** // Some scientist believe lightning was the cause of human evolution. // **

= //What makes lightning worse?/Better. // =

= = = = Rubber shoes do nothing to protect you from lightning. talking on the phone is a huge cause of lightning in homes. under trees is the most dangerous shelter during lightning. Cars are also not a good resource of shelter. Your basement in a well-built building is the best shelter through a storm

= Where can lightning strike? =

I have learned that lightning can strike quite a few miles away. In fact, scientists are now sure that it can strike 15 miles away from a cloud. even if its not raining you could be in danger. - <--M en struck by lightning in 2001 and 1996. What happens if you get struck by lightning?

Your body will be under strike 3 milliseconds after your struck. 1/3 of your body will die from cardiac arrest. One or both your eardrums will likely burst. You may experience a loss of consciousness, and have third degree burns from any metal on you during the strike; this includes jewelry.

---When the thunder roars....Go indoors

When you hear thunder,lightning is coming.. Go inside. After the storm is over, wait a little bit after the last flash of lightning or boom of thunder before going back outside. Even before you hear thunder, lightning can strike, so always watch the weather the night before. If your on a sports team your coach should have a good shelter. Different types of lightning


 * Forked lightning- lightning with visable branches
 * Streak lightning- lightning that appears to be a single bolt.
 * Ribbon lightning- seen as several flashes of bright light.
 * Chain lightning- lightning bolt that breaks down into tiny dots as it fades
 * Ball lightning- seen as a huge fiery ball of fire.
 * Red sprites- dim red colored burst.
 * Blue jets- cone shaped burst that spring forward in the middle of the thunderstorm
 * Elves- burst that look like a doughnut or a saucer.

Resources.

http://climbing.about.com/od/staysafeclimbing/a/LightningFacts.htm http://www.stormwise.com/striking.htm http://www.dirjournal.com/info/interesting-facts-about-lightning/ http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_happens_if_you_get_hit_by_lightning http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/lightning-profile.html