Quote:
Originally Posted by bluecenturian
This is FALSE. Your neighbors house does NOT attract the lightening. The rods by physics produce a negative electric charge, similar to static electricity. If a lighten bolt come within the proximity of the charge it will attract to the rod. There is no way it will attract to your neighbors house.
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I have to correct the other point.
Lightning rods do not "produce" anything especially NOT a positive charge. Electricity (lightning) is always trying to find the shortest lowest resistance path back to its source (normally the ground).
Pine trees are notorious for being really good lightning rods, because of the core of conductive (low resistance) sap.
When a lightning rod is struck by lightning the current (lots and lots of it) flowing through the rod (or whatever it hit) generates an Electromagnetic Pulse that will "electrocute" electronic devices nearby. Or it will "induce" a current into any conductors nearby - conductors are things like house wiring, steel or copper pipes, chainlink fences, golf clubs, etc. etc., etc. If you happened to be holding onto one of those when a lightning bolt strikes near by your could have your hair stand up on end, or you could be toasted. It all depends.