Lightning: Why it Occurs and How to Protect Your Home

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By Sophia Kaisermann

 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds. It is estimated that fifty to one hundred bolts of lightning occurred in each of those seconds across the globe. Lightning is a natural phenomenon that scientists don't know much about. It is known for injuring and even killing people. Around 6,000 people died from lightning each year. Twenty people died from lightning strikes last year in the United States.

Lightning is an electric discharge released during an electric storm.  Electric discharge is when someone or thing releases electricity. As explained by National Geographic, "Lightning is an electrical discharge caused by imbalances between storm clouds and the ground, or within the clouds themselves." Lightning occurs when clouds separate its electric charges, positive at the top and negative at the bottom. There are many theories to how the clouds do that, one theory states that it happens when wind downdrafts and updrafts occur. According to the Science Learning Hub, "a potential difference or voltage is created across the cloud-to-ground gap. Once the voltage reaches a certain strength, the air between the base of the cloud and the ground develops an electrical conductivity."

One common thing that people say when naming things to do when there is lightning is staying indoors. Being outdoors during a lightning storm is very dangerous because the lightning might strike someone. Although it is ideal to be inside during a thunderstorm, being indoors isn't guaranteed to be lightning free. According to Hedrick Constructions, "
Because of the high temperatures, any flammable material in and outside of your home puts you at higher risk of fire." Another very dangerous possibility of lightning striking one's home is the bolt reaching the wiring system. If the lightning reaches the electric wires, it can cause explosions and fires.

One way to protect your home from lightning is using a lightning rod. A lightning rod is a rod made of metal (usually copper) that is used to protect structures. According to Britannica, "[it protects against damage] by intercepting flashes and guiding their currents into the ground." They are usually placed in high locations because lightning typically strikes high places. Once the rod conducts the lightning, it transfers it safely to the ground. Rods have helped protect places from lightning for hundreds of years, ever since the concept was first discovered by Benjamin Franklin. Rods have been protecting homes for years past, and will be protecting more for years to come.
External Links:

https://www.universetoday.com/74016/what-causes-lightning/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0gNl5f4BU 

https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-happens-when-lightning-strikes-a-tree 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/lightning

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/lightning-explained  

https://www.britannica.com/technology/lightning-rod

https://www.hedrickconstructioninc.com/blog/how-can-lightning-damage-my-home

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