What are lightning rods how do they funcition?

Answer 1

A lightning rod is a very sharply pointed metal rodmounted high on a building or other structure that could be damaged if lightning struck it, with the point of the rod pointing directly up. The lightning rod is connected by a wire to a grounding rod driven deeply into the earth, to provide a discharge path for the lightning rod.

When a thunderstorm passes over, the electrical strain in the air causes a corona discharge from the sharp point of the lightning rod grounding the air above the building. In many cases this cone of grounded air above the building slowly discharges the electrical strain and prevents an actual lightning strike.

Should a lightning strike happen anyway it will follow the cone of grounded air (as it is the highest conductor) toward the lightning rod, then down the wire to the grounding rod where it disperses safely in the earth. Should this actually happen the system must be inspected for damage, especially the wire as it may partially melt (in which case it must be replaced for continued protection)!

Answer 2

Metal rods with grounding wires attached to the top of tall buildings to conduct static electric buildup 'harmlessly' to the ground. The big selling point is protection from lightening. They are supposed to conduct the lightening strike harmlessly to ground. They were first proposed by Ben Franklin.

Answer 3

A Lightning rod is usually a metal object like an Arrow, (as in bow & arrow) fixed to the highest part of a building or structure, connected to a wire or cable. That is then run down to the ground & there connected to another rod that has been sunk into the ground 3 or 4 feet deep. This then insures that if lightning strikes the object protected, it will be attracted to the arrow & travel, through the wire directly to ground, thereby protecting the object.

Answer 4

A lightning rod is a very sharply pointed metal rodmounted high on a building or other structure that could be damaged if lightning struck it, with the point of the rod pointing directly up. The lightning rod is connected by a wire to a grounding rod driven deeply into the earth, to provide a discharge path for the lightning rod.

When a thunderstorm passes over, the electrical strain in the air causes a corona discharge from the sharp point of the lightning rod grounding the air above the building. In many cases this cone of grounded air above the building slowly discharges the electrical strain and prevents an actual lightning strike.

Should a lightning strike happen anyway it will follow the cone of grounded air (as it is the highest conductor) toward the lightning rod, then down the wire to the grounding rod where it disperses safely in the earth. Should this actually happen the system must be inspected for damage, especially the wire as it may partially melt (in which case it must be replaced for continued protection)!

Answer 5

Lightning (metal) rods protrude above the highest point of tall buildings, church tower or steeples, etc. There is a heavy metal cable or strap connecting the rod to the ground. Should a flash of lightening strike the building, the rod will attract the strike and the electrical charge will be sent to earth and safely dispersed in the ground. This prevents the actual building being damaged by a lightening strike.

Answer 6

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