Image: David Shaw/Design Pics/First Light/Getty Images
About This Quiz
Lightning can strike the Empire State Building as many times as it wants. But when it comes to human tissues and organs, we can't be so cavalier with our safety. The effects of lightning strikes can be deadly -- or at least blow you right out of your shoes. Test your thunderstorm smarts. Are you the most likely to survive?
Which natural disaster causes the most deaths on average in the U.S.?
tornadoes
blizzards
lightning
On average, lightning causes the most deaths in the U.S., beating out tornadoes and blizzards, among other natural disasters.
Advertisement
A bolt of lightning can reach how many volts?
a million
a billion
A bolt of lightning can reach a billion volts. A gajillion is not a real number.
a gajillion
Advertisement
How hot can lightning bolts be?
1 million degrees F
54,000 degrees F
Lightning bolts can reach 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit (29,982 degrees Celsius).
450 degrees F
Advertisement
About how many thunderstorms are taking place on the planet right now as you read this?
200
2,000
At any given moment, about 2,000 thunderstorms are taking place on Earth.
20,000
Advertisement
What is heat lightning?
lightning that's much hotter than average
lightning that's a mirage
lightning from a thunderstorm too far away to be heard
Heat lightning is still lighting. You can see it, but the thunderstorm is just too far away for you to hear it.
Advertisement
How far from rain can lightning strike?
5 miles
10 miles
Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles (16.09 km) away from the rain it's usually accompanied by.
25 miles
Advertisement
At what time of day do most lightning strikes occur?
morning
afternoon
Most lightning strikes occur in the afternoon and early evening, between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
night
Advertisement
How fast does the sound of thunder travel?
1 mile per 5 seconds
The sound of thunder travels 1 mile (1.6 km) per 5 seconds.
1 mile per 30 seconds
1 mile per minute
Advertisement
Which of these is NOT part of a boat's lightning protection system?
air terminal
bonding system
flux capacitor
A boat's lightning protection system (LPS) includes an air terminal and a bonding system. It does not include a flux capacitor. (That was in the DeLorean time machine.)
Advertisement
According to Pliny, what sea creature couldn't be harmed by lightning?
seal
Pliny wrote that seals and bay trees are both impervious to lightning, inspiring Tiberius to wear a crown of bay leaves and Augustus Caesar to carry a sealskin.
narwhal
swordfish
Advertisement
The National Weather Service recommends you stay inside how long after the last thunder clap?
30 minutes
You should stay inside for 30 minutes after you hear a storm's last thunder clap.
1 hour
1 day
Advertisement
Most U.S. lightning casualties occur in what state?
Alaska
Michigan
Florida
Most lightning casualties in the U.S. occur in Florida, "the sunshine state."
Advertisement
Which of these statements about positive lightning is NOT true?
It's less dangerous than negative lightning.
Positive lightning is considered more dangerous than negative lightning. It has a stronger electrical field and a greater flash duration, among other differences.
It has a stronger electrical field than negative lightning.
Its flash duration is greater than that of negative lightning.
Advertisement
Which of these is an example of side flash?
when lightning hits you directly
when lightning hits a tree and then jumps to you
If lightning hit a tree and then jumped from the tree to you, that would be considered side flash.
when lightning hits a tree that you're touching and travels through your hand
Advertisement
What percentage of lightning victims die immediately?
20 percent
About 20 percent of lightning victims die immediately. Most live, although sometimes with health issues.
50 percent
100 percent
Advertisement
What phenomenon protects you from lightning when you're in a car?
Faraday's cage
The metal frame of your car acts like a Faraday cage, keeping lightning's electrical charge on the surface of the car and leaving its contents unmarked.
Quantum suicide
Special relativity
Advertisement
What is the study of pathology of lightning in the body?
ketoacidosis
keratinology
keuranopathy
The name for the study of how lightning affects the body is "keuranopathy."
Advertisement
Which of these things do you NOT do during the lightning crouch?
squat
cover your ears
lie down
During a lightning crouch, never lie down. You should, however, put your feet together, squat, tuck your head and cover your ears.
Advertisement
The top of a tower of thunderclouds might be shaped like what?
a flower
an anvil
The top of a tower of thunderclouds is often shaped like an anvil. Underneath that may be a cauliflower shape.
a pumpkin
Advertisement
Is lightning always attracted to the tallest object around?
Lightning is always attracted to the tallest object around.
Lightning is always attracted to the shortest object around.
No one can predict where lightning will strike.
Lightning is unpredictable. No one can say with certainty that it always strikes the tallest object, although it often does.
Advertisement
You Got:
/20
David Shaw/Design Pics/First Light/Getty Images
