Lightning travelling through the ground

[AquarianEssence]

Hello all. Wonderful forum I'll be sure to share with my sons. I experienced lightening coming into my feet while wading through clay mud up to my calves during a tornado-lightening storm back in 86. In speaking with the neighbors I believe the jolt I experienced was a hit on the neighbor's well .32 miles directly east of me. I was walking at an angle, most likely about 25*, no more than about 50* but the lesser is the most likely, from what I recall. If I understand it correctly, walking in a path that is circular to the strike is much less dangerous than if I were walking toward or away from it which would like account for the fact that I wasn't hurt, unless it is simply due to the distance. That is what I would like to understand. I know our soil is a very good conductor, being clay loam. It was mostly clay at that time because the house was currently under construction and the clay had settled there. It was nearly standing water and I had a really hard time moving my legs through the mud, even lost my rubber sandals.

 

At what rate does the force or volts diminish with distance? Is there a difference in affect if it comes through the feet or elsewhere in the body? There were cattle on this land for over 20 years and although lightening is often attracted here or nearby, not one has ever been hurt that I'm aware of. So they must instinctively know how to stand or where to go.

 

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

 

Connie

[Royston]

It's likely you were walking on an equipotential, so the potential difference would be low. Radially outwards from the lightning strike i.e [math]\Delta V = -\xi_r \Delta r[/math] you can imagine circles that form the equipotential lines. If you had been lying with your head on one, and your feet on another, the potential difference would be high i.e [math]\Delta r[/math] so you would be more likely to get a nasty shock, rather than a mild one. The voltage does diminish with distance, as you said...it's hard to give any figures, because the intensity of lightning varies. It can be as intense as 30 million volts.

Edited August 16, 2008 by Snail