Question

name: josie labianca
end - of - unit assessment
date: 10 - 01 - 26
part 1
airplanes and lightning strikes
each year, one or two airplanes are struck by lightning (national weather service, n.d.). however, these lightning strikes do not usually result in human injuries. the last plane crash caused by a lightning strike occurred in 1967 (scientific american, 2006). advancements in technology and airplane design have helped prevent crashes.
an airplane was struck by lightning on october 3, 2016. it arrived safely, and the british airline pilots association (balpa) confirmed that the plane was not damaged in any way. according to chris hammond of the british airline pilots association (balpa), the aluminum (a metal) covering the cabin and interior compartments of an airplane is designed to keep electricity away from the crew, passengers, and electronics inside. underneath the aluminum covering of the airplane are many other materials, including plastic.
\everything worked exactly as it should,\ hammond said. the lightning bolt entered the plane at the nose and exited via the tail and wing. everything and everyone on board was protected.
question: a friend heard that airplanes can get struck by lightning and is wondering about how everyone would be safe if this happened.

1. use the graphic on the next page to show the location of electrons, the flow of electrons in the aluminum covering of the airplane, before and after a lightning strike, and where the positive and negative charges are located?
2. explain how the material used (aluminum) protected the people and items inside the plane in the situation provided?

Explanation:

Aluminum is a good conductor. When an airplane is struck by lightning, the aluminum covering allows the electric - charge (electrons) to flow along its surface. This creates an electrostatic shielding effect (Faraday cage principle), diverting the lightning current around the interior of the plane, protecting the crew, passengers, and electronics inside.

Answer:

The aluminum covering of the airplane acts as a conductor and through the principle of electrostatic shielding (similar to a Faraday cage), it diverts the lightning current around the interior, protecting people and items inside.