Does lightning often strike things that are "ungrounded" and what constitutes "ungrounded"?

Question

I have recently developed a strong, almost ridiculous fear of lightning. I believe it is because I was caught in a storm and it was cloud to ground lightning all around me and I had to drive through it for 35 miles and it was EVERYWHERE!!! My husband tells me I'm silly, because lightning won't hit my vehicle because it isn't grounded, rather it isn't likely that it will. I would think that it will hit whatever is in its path. Can anyone explain just exactly what makes lightning strike whatever?

Answer 1

well there is a very likely chace your car will be struck. usually lightning strikes anything metal or tall objects like trees. the empire state building is very vunlerable to lightining strikes because it is very tall and has a metal rod at the top. so if your ever outside and theres lighting stay away from trees or tall objects and anything metal. oh and if your car does get struck by lightning nothing will happen to you or your car. It will even start after its been hit.

Answer 2

Your husband is correct as your car is not grounded and lightning is seeking to correct an electrical imbalance.  There is a potential (electrical difference) between the cloud and ground or between different parts of a cloud.  Since your car is ungrounded (does not have a electrical path to ground) it is unlikely to be struck by lightning. See if this helps.  If you have a battery and a light bulb.  The positive pole of the battery has a wire that connects to a lightbulb then a wire connects to the negative pole of the battery.  If you disconnect the wire from any pole of the battery and place a piece of paper (your car) in between the light will not light because the pathway has be disrupted.  Your car does not provide a pathway to ground.

Answer 3

Lightning is like static electricity on a big scale. The clouds discharge to the ground.

***Lightning tries to find the fastest and easiest way to get to the ground.***

Your car is safe from lightning, so is a building. They act like a metal cage. The lightning wants to go through the metal, not you. The car tires also insulate you.

***Just try not to be the easiest conductor and you'll be fine.***