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From: ron@topaz.rutgers.edu (Ron Natalie)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Lightning Rod Problem
Message-ID: <13253@topaz.rutgers.edu>
Date: Fri, 10-Jul-87 10:45:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: topaz.13253
Posted: Fri Jul 10 10:45:44 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 13-Jul-87 01:22:56 EDT
References: <204600003@prism> <616@neoucom.UUCP> <455@sol.ARPA> <618@neoucom.UUCP> <495@sol.ARPA>
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
Lines: 9

If the purpose of a lightning rod is to take hits of lightning (which it isn't
but let's just assume it is at the present), then even though a point is
better for causing the bolt to form, doesn't make it ideal for the end
of the rod.  If you've ever seen equipment that is designed to draw sparks,
you will notice that they use round ends on the electrodes.  This is to
provide more surface area exposed so that they will not wear out as fast.
You're nice pointy end would probably be gone after the first stroke.

-Ron