The study or science of lightning.
Last night, a fierce electrical storm hit Sydney, bringing with it a spectacular lightning display.
Now, don't get me wrong, from the confines of one's 'house' - I love a good electrical storm. It's fearsome and thrilling.
..it's just that, when you're on water, um, with a dirty great metal ROD sticking up into the sky practically inviting the strike, one tends to become, um, slightly nervous....
Travelling into the dusty crevices of my mind, I recall water and metal (and people!) being excellent conductors of electricity - a pretty shit combination for us seeing as though or boat is metal. and is floating. on water.
But, in this morning's study of fulminology, it appears that being in a metal yacht - as opposed to a timber or fibreglass one - is actually better in a lightning strike. Apparently, the metal, being such a good conductor, acts as a 'faraday cage' so that the electricity (typically a billion volts per strike) travels down the mast and around the hull to the 'ground' (in our case, the water), leaving us safe and calm inside. (?!)
Good to know.
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Nice bit of research Al. Now just need to work out what a "faraday cage" is ...
ReplyDeletegood to know for sure!! loving the location widget too! x
ReplyDeleteIt was a cracker of a storm in deed! Airport was closed - sat and sat and wondered if I'd get home - did - but landing in Cairns at 0100!! Great to see you all. Mx
ReplyDeletexxxx did wonder about your flight... GREAT to spend the day with you too - R & C ADORE you. x
ReplyDeleteOuch .. I just re read my comment above and realised that it sounds like I think you need to work out what a "faraday cage" is, which clearly you do not .. it is me .. the land lubbing doofus that has no idea about such technical matters.
ReplyDeleteyou ARE funny Bishi - I didn't read it that way at all!
ReplyDelete