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Chapter 24: Problem 3

When caught in the open in a lightning storm, a person should crouch low with feet close together rather than lie flat on the ground. Why?

Short Answer

Expert verified
A person should crouch low with feet close together during a lightning storm to reduce their height, minimizing their chance of being struck, and to decrease the surface area exposed to ground current, lessening potential injury. The position also minimizes the difference in electric potential conducted through the body in case the ground is struck.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the behavior of electricity

Electricity, among which lightning is a distinctly powerful type, always seeks the path of least resistance towards the ground. When a person is standing, they are a potential conduit for electricity to reach the ground. The taller the object, the more likely it is to be struck by lightning.
02

Lying flat on the ground vs Crouching low

If a person lies flat on the ground, it increases the contact area with the ground. This means electricity has a larger conductive area to flow through, increasing the chances of a serious or even fatal injury. On the other hand, crouching reduces the contact area, thereby reducing the conductive area for electricity.
03

Feet close together

Keeping feet close together can lower the potential of a ground current affecting the body. When lightning strikes the ground near a person, it can create a potential difference over a wide area. In the event that the ground is struck, keeping the feet close together helps minimize the difference in electrical potential conducted through the body.

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