Today, we dip into the mailbag: Dear A Moment of Science, my husband says it's dangerous to shower during thunderstorms, but I think it's fun. Our house has plastic pipes, which are great insulators, but he won't listen to reason. Who's right? Signed: Amy Cornell.
Let's start by reviewing the basics. When lightning strikes, the electrical current follows the path of least resistance down to the ground. This means that, given the chance, the current will jump from a worse conductor to a better conductor. And if you happen to be the best conductor around, that current will go right through you. That's why lightning rods are so important: they provide the current with an easy and safe route to the ground.
Metal is a good conductor, so if lightning strikes an unprotected house, chances are the current will travel through any metal pipes. What's more, the tap water moving in these pipes contains impurities that help the water conduct electrical current. When you're wet, the natural resistance of your body is cut by half, and the salt and contaminants on your skin decrease your resistance further. So basically, being wet can make the difference between an unpleasant electrical shock and a deadly one.
Now, even though plastic pipes are insulated, and therefore, poor conductors of electricity, you should still avoid showering during a thunderstorm. After all, you never know where the plastic pipes hook up with metal fixtures. Your house may contain a metal frame, metal air conditioning and heating systems, metal ducts, and so on. So why take unnecessary risks? Stay safe and wait to shower until after the storm.
