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Book 7, Question 34 · Video

Why Should You Avoid Open Fields in Lightning?

Video · 1:59 · Crafty Clover explains, from A Million Whys Book 7

An open field has no tall buildings or trees, so a person standing in it becomes one of the tallest things around. That makes you a risky target for lightning. Flat and lonely is b

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What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why should you avoid open fields in lightning?

The Big Idea

An open field has no tall buildings or trees, so a person standing in it becomes one of the tallest things around. That makes you a risky target for lightning. Flat and lonely is bad lightning math.

Flat Land, Tall You

Step one: flat land, tall you. In a wide-open field, there is nothing taller than a person for the lightning to choose. Even a person standing still can be the highest point around.

Lightning Seeks Peaks

Step two: lightning seeks the peak. As we learned, lightning follows the shortest and easiest path to the ground. In a field, a person might be that path.

Ground Current Spreads

Step three: current spreads through the ground. When lightning hits the ground, the electricity spreads outward along the surface. It can hurt people who are standing nearby, not only those who are hit directly.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a field! An open field is flat and wide, with nothing around you. If you are standing there, you become the tall point. So the safe move is to reach a sturdy building quickly.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Fields, beaches, hills, and swimming pools are all risky places to be in a storm. Don't wait for the rain. Lightning can strike miles away from the storm. If you hear thunder, head for a sturdy building right away, with a grown-up. Crouching in a field is not a safe plan. Getting inside is.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! If you are ever outdoors and thunder starts, move to a safe building fast. Do not wait for rain. Ask a grown-up where the nearest safe building is. Make an outdoor plan for your sports and playgrounds.

Outro

Open fields are great for play, but not when thunder is around. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!

Why I wrote this