A Guide To The Scientific Knowledge Of Things Familiar Part 4

Q. _Why is it DANGEROUS to lean BACK AGAINST A WALL during a thunder-storm?_

A. Because the electric fluid sometimes runs down the _wall_ of a house or room; and (as a man is a better conductor than a brick wall), would make _him_ its path, and injure him.

Q. _Why is it dangerous to RING a BELL during a thunder-storm?_

A. Bell-wire is an _excellent conductor_; and (if a person were to touch the bell-handle), the electric fluid, pa.s.sing down the wire, might run through his hand and injure it.

Q. _Why would the lightning run through a man touching a bell-handle?_

A. Because the human body is a better conductor than the _wall_ (between the bell-handle and the floor); and as lightning always chooses the _best_ conductors for its path, it would (in this case) pa.s.s through the _man_, and injure him.

Q. _Why is it DANGEROUS to BAR a SHUTTER during a thunder-storm?_

A. The iron shutter-bar is an _excellent conductor_; and (if a person were touching the bar), the electric fluid pa.s.sing down it, might run from the bar _through the person touching it_, and injure him.

Q. _Why is it dangerous to be in a CROWD during a thunder-storm?_

A. For two reasons. 1st--Because a _ma.s.s_ of people form a _better conductor_ than an individual: and

2ndly--The _vapour_ from a crowd _increases the danger_ of such a place.

Q. _Why is a Ma.s.s of bodies a better conductor than a single body?_

A. _Each_ living body is a _conductor of electricity_; and a connected _ma.s.s_ of such conductors is more likely to be struck, than a _single individual_.

Q. _Why is the danger increased by the_ VAPOUR _which rises from a crowd?_

A. _Vapour_ is a conductor, and therefore, may determine the shock; especially when connected with so many living bodies.

Q. _Why is a THEATRE dangerous, during a thunder-storm?_

A. Because the _crowd a.s.sembled_ there, and the _great vapour_ arising from so many living bodies, render a theatre an _excellent conductor of lightning_.

Q. _Why is a_ FLOCK _of sheep in greater danger than a smaller number?_

A. Because _each_ sheep is a _conductor_ of lightning, and the _greater the number_, the _better its conducting power_; besides, the _vapour_ arising from a flock of sheep _increases its conducting power_, and its danger.

Q. _Why is a HERD of cattle in danger during a storm?_

A. 1st--The _number_ of living bodies increases the conducting power of the _animal fluids_: and

2ndly--The _vapour_ arising from a herd is also a good conductor.

Q. _If a person be ABROAD in a thunder-storm, what place is the SAFEST?_

A. Any spot about 20 or 30 feet from some tall tree or building; unless that spot be near to running water.

Q. _Why would it be safe to stand 20 or 30 feet from some tall tree, in a thunder-storm?_

A. Because the lightning would always choose the _tall tree_ as a conductor, rather than the _shorter man_; and he would not be sufficiently near the tree, to be injured by the electric current pa.s.sing down it.

Q. _If a person be in A CARRIAGE in a thunder-storm, in what way can he travel most SAFELY?_

A. He should not lean _against_ the carriage; but sit upright, without touching any of the four sides.

Q. _Why should not a person lean AGAINST the carriage in a storm?_

A. Because the electric fluid might run down the sides of the carriage; and (if a person were leaning against the sides), would make choice of _him_ for a conductor, and perhaps destroy life.

Q. _If a person be in A HOUSE during a thunder storm, what place is SAFEST?_

A. Any room in the _middle story_. The _middle_ of the room is best; especially if you place yourself on a mattra.s.s, bed, or hearth-rug.

Q. _Why is the MIDDLE STORY of a house SAFEST in a thunder-storm?_

A. Because (even if the fluid _struck_ the house), its strength would be exhausted before it reached the middle story.

Q. _Why is the MIDDLE of the ROOM more SAFE, than any other part of it, in a thunder-storm?_

A. Because, if the lightning came into the room at all, it would come down the _chimney_ or _walls_ of the room; and therefore, the further distant from these, the better.

Q. _Why is a MATTRa.s.s BED, or HEARTH-RUG a good security against injury from lightning?_

A. Because they are all _non-conductors_; and, as lightning always takes in its course the _best_ conductors, it would not select such things as these.

Q. _Is it better to be WET or dry during a storm?_

A. To be _wet_: if a person be in the open field, the best thing he can do, is to stand about 20 feet from some tree, and get _completely drenched to the skin_.