Question

What is a lightning conductor? How does it work?

Answer 1

Lightning Conductor is a device used to protect buildings from the effect of lightning. A metallic rod, taller than the building, is installed in the walls of the building during its construction. One end of the rod is kept out in the air and the other is buried deep in the ground. The rod provides an easy route for the transfer of electric charge to the ground. The process is called earthing.

The conductor works on the principle of induction. Whenever a charged cloud passes by the building, the conductor gets charged opposite to that of the cloud through the process of induction. Now, this acquired charge moves to the earth through the earthing system.