Why do some buildings have lightning rods? Scholars explore the movement and attraction of opposing electrical charges through a simulation of a lightning rod. They control the cloud height, charge separation, and if the lightning rod is on or off. 

Concepts

electric charge, electric fields, electrical energy, electrical safety, lightning, electrostatics, static electricity

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Explain why lightning rods aren't used as often any more and what has replaced them

Classroom Considerations

• Users must have a free CK-12 account to access the interactive
• Assumes prior knowledge of voltage and electrical charges

Pros

• Displays the electric field and potential energy for each trial
• Includes challenge questions within the simulation

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.4 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4