[ELI5] Why are planes struck by lightning occasionally, and why is it seemingly not a problem for them?
In: Physics
This is due to something called the “Faraday Cage” effect. Imagine the airplane as a metal cage: when electricity hits it, the electricity flows around the outer surface but doesn’t penetrate inside. So, everything inside the plane, including passengers and all the electronics that make the plane work, remains safe and unaffected.
As for why, if they’re at the right place at the right time they’re the first thing that lightning bolt encounters.
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