The Power of the Bolt
Lightning is one of the most beautiful but dangerous sights in nature. A single bolt carries enough electricity to power a small town for a day. Because it is so powerful and moves so fast, we have to follow specific scientific 'rules' to stay out of its way during a storm.
Don't Be the Tallest
Electricity always looks for the 'path of least resistance.' Air is a poor conductor (it’s hard for electricity to move through it), so lightning wants to find a shortcut. A tall tree, a metal pole, or a person standing in an open field acts like a bridge, giving the lightning a shorter path to the ground.
The Safe Shell
If you are outside when a storm starts, the safest place is inside a building or a car. Most people think a car's rubber tires protect you, but that’s a myth! It’s actually the metal body of the car. If lightning hits a car, the electricity flows around the outside of the metal 'shell' and into the ground, keeping you safe inside.