Thread: TV Project: lightning experiments

Hello,

I am researching a TV show on the science of lightning. I'm looking for ideas for big, visual experiments that demonstrate an aspect of the science of lightning. Ambitious, quirky or something directly related to an ongoing science program.

I'd love to hear any ideas. Could we measure a bolt of lightning as it strikes the Empire State building? How could we strike a plane with lightning to show the principle of a faraday cage - and also how planes are not protected for high energies of some lightning. The bigger and more unusual the better - and the science doesn't need to be really cutting edge as viewers will be interested in both the fundamentals and the latest science.


Many thanks!

Originally Posted by Tabitha

Hello,

I am researching a TV show on the science of lightning. I'm looking for ideas for big, visual experiments that demonstrate an aspect of the science of lightning. Ambitious, quirky or something directly related to an ongoing science program.

I'd love to hear any ideas. Could we measure a bolt of lightning as it strikes the Empire State building? How could we strike a plane with lightning to show the principle of a faraday cage - and also how planes are not protected for high energies of some lightning. The bigger and more unusual the better - and the science doesn't need to be really cutting edge as viewers will be interested in both the fundamentals and the latest science.


Many thanks!

It has been over 25 years since I worked with these guys, but they are the experts in lightning simulations and experiments. I suggest that you talk to them.
http://www.lightningtech.com/intro.html