Question

What is the main function of lightning conductors?
A. To capture lightning stroke and conduct discharge current safely to the ground
B. To capture lightning stroke and conduct discharge current safely to the cloud
C. To capture lightning stroke and conduct discharge current safely to the building
D. None

Answer 1

Hint: The lightning conductor is a thick copper wire or strip secured to a building's highest point, to a long copper earth pole hammered deep into the ground at the side of the building. This protects structures from lightning strikes by creating a safer route for the current to pass into the structure rather than through the ground. The current in the conductor can be so high in the event of a direct lightning strike that it melts or evaporates the metal but the damage to the building would be minimal.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Lightning rods are often mistaken as their function. Most people believe the lightning rods are "attracting" lightning. It is better stated to say that lightning rods provide a low-resistance grounding path that can be used when lightning strikes occur to conduct the huge electrical currents. The system attempts to carry the harmful electrical current away from the structure and safely to the ground if the lightning strikes. The machine is capable of handling the enormous electrical current associated with the attack. When the strike hits a material that is not a good conductor, significant heat damage can be caused to the material. The lightning rod system is an excellent conductor, allowing the current to flow to the ground without causing any damage to the heat.

Hence the option A is the right answer.

Note: Lightning on its way to earth attempts to locate the right conductor and therefore, seeing a tree or a building will jump from side to side. This is drawn to pointy things rather than to round or blunt objects, and lightning rods are made with sharp points for this purpose. Once a cloud packed with electricity passes over the rods, they are flowed down by electricity until the cloud is discharged completely. No flash, or sound of thunder is heard during this process. The tops of the lightning rods are covered with silver, to prevent rusting. It is best to bring the lower end of the rod down into the damp earth; if the earth is dry it is safer to bring the end into a well, because the dry earth is not a good conductor and the captured lightning could spring from the rod at the lower end and go into the building's cellar. Because soot is a good conductor, high chimneys should have rods on them, as is the vapor that comes up when the fire burns.