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Lightning is caused by electrons building up, either in the ground or in the clouds. When this electric potential becomes greater than the dielectric strength of the air between ground and clouds, the electrons will flow from one to another in the form of lightning. The dielectric strength of air is directly related to the distance between the two objects of interest. A lightning rod works by being higher than whatever it is meant to protect, so as electrons build up, lightning will strike the rod instead of whatever it is protecting. The lightning rod provides a low impedance path to ground, acting as a drain for the electrical build up.

So it attracts lightning by being higher than whatever it is protecting; it also discharges the electrical potential by providing a low impedance path to ground.

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13y ago
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11y ago

Since Ben Franklin invented the lightning rod by using a kite & a key,if lightning strikes a lightning rod,the electricity will travel through the rod,then powers the house.

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13y ago

What happens is metal rod either absorbs the charge, or the charge is directed into the ground.

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Q: What happens to an electric charge which a lightning rod receives from a strike?
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