What is a lightning conductor ? How does it protect?

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Solution

$L i g h t n i n g c o n d u c t o r : -$ A metal road that is placed on a building and connected with the ground below to protect the building from being damaged by lightning $.$
$I t^{'} s f u n c t i o n : -$ A lightning conductor as the name suggests conducts the electric charge which hits the building through it and hence does not allow the charge to pass through the building material $.$
The conducting rod is made of a good conducting material $,$ which passes through the building in a relatively isolated manner such that it does not touch other conducting material in the structure $.$
The lightning conductor is extended till the ground where a plate of conducting material is placed underground $.$ The connection with the ground sets the potential at zero and hence offers the easiest path for the charge to pass through $.$
The conductor is typically raised above the building to take the shocks before the lightning can strike the building $.$

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Question 21

Explain how does lightning conductor protect a building from getting struck by lightning.

(a) How does a lightning conductor protect a tall building? Name the scientist who invented the lightning conductor.

(b) Why are lightning strikes more frequent in hilly areas?

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