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Why didn't Ben Franklin die when he tied a metal key to a kite string and flew the kite in a thunderstorm?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
The most likely answers are that the string presented enough resistance to reduce the current to a very low level, and his kite was not actually struck by lightning but was still draining some of the charge built up in the cloud.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agobecause he thought that it would keep the rain off of him
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThat probably never happened.
He did however, fly a kite during a thunderstorm in an attempt to prove that lightning is electricity.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoThe wet kite string was attached to a long DRY silk ribbon that Ben held. Silk is a very good insulator.
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Can you get struck by lightning on a bike?
if the bike has any metal on it then yes just don't ride your bike in a thunderstorm and you'll be fine
Why is it particularly dangerous for a golfer to swing a metal golf club during a thunderstorm?
Because the actual golf club is made of metal and metal will attract lightning like a lightning rod and electricute you. I am super awesome and smart right!!
Can lightning strike a plastic wagon parked next to brick wall in between two residential houses 8 feet apart?
Yes it theoretically could, but it is very unlikely considering the amount of metal surrounding it. Because of the imbalance of charge, lightning is more likely to strike objects of metal, hence Benjamin Franklin's story of flying a kite with a key in a thunderstorm, and this also gives the reason why we have lightning rods.
Why is golfing during a thunderstorm dangerous?
Lightning strikes elevated objects, including trees, and carrying a metal golf club adds to the likelihood of being struck.
Why should you avoid touching anything during a thunderstorm?
A flyer of kites who practices in a thunderstorm invites lightning to travel down the kite's line. And through the flyer. One of the "problems" with lightning is that it doesn't always kill those it strikes. It can horribly main and/or disable those who are struck. A victim can lose internal organs, a limb, or, possibly worse (if one can imagine it) suffer brain damage that changes the personality as well as reduces the mobility of the individual unfortunate enough to become part of lightning's path to ground. Don't even think about doing a Ben Franklin here. He didn't know what we do. Or he probably wouldn't have been out there doing that stuff. And you been warned, ait?Standing outside during a lightning storm is dangerous. They say that if you are close enough to the storm to hear the thunder then you are close enough to be struck by lightning. People have been struck by lightning when miles from the storm. To fly a kite during an electrical or lightning storm is inviting danger. Since the string is usually wet from the rain (water is a good conductor of electricity) it could complete the circuit between the ground and the storm and if you are near to or holding the string then you are part of the circuit. The string does not have to be wet though. Best to stay indoors and watch the magnificance of a thunderstorm through the window.
Who discovered electricity in clouds?
Ben Franklin. The metal key on a kite string.
How did Benjamin Franklin discover?
Benjamin Franklin did not invent electricity. He did some experiments with it however. One experiment (that may be only a legend) is that he flew a kite in a thunderstorm, and confirmed by the charge on a metal key that lightning is an electrical phenomenon. I LIKE PIE
Why would it be dangerous to hold a metal pole in a thunderstorm?
The reason it is dangerous to hold a metal pole in a thunderstorm is because metal is a conductive material, so the electricity that comes from the lightning would conduct into the metal and transfer it to your body
How is a thunderstorm detected?
Some golf feilds have huge metal poles that start to beep uncontrollably when a thunderstorm or linghtning stricke is about to occur.
Are plastic cups better for string telephones than metal cups?
I would say that plastic cups are better for string telephones because you cant get string through a metal cup.
1 Why does wire conduct electricity and not string?
1. Wire is metal. 2. String is not.
Can metal wire act as a bow string?
yes it can it the bow bending not the string stretching
Are metal roofs safe in a electrical storm?
Absolutely Not! Metal actually attracts lightning, so if you're on a metal roof during a thunderstorm, you are more venerable to be hit by lightning.
What is more stronger pipe cleaners or string?
metal
How did Benjamin Franklin discover electricity?
Benjamin Franklin did not invent electricity. He did some experiments with it however. One experiment (that may be only a legend) is that he flew a kite in a thunderstorm, and confirmed by the charge on a metal key that lightning is an electrical phenomenon. I LIKE PIE
What gauge guitar strings are best for heavy metal?
Guitar string gauge is a personal preference. However, for heavy metal you will most likely want to use a lighter string.
What is 5 metal balls on a string called?
Newton's Cradle
