8 ELECTRICITY. 



Q. Why are MEN sometimes MAIMED by 

 lightning ? 



A. Because lightning strikes with 

 amazing force, whatever opposes it : and 

 if a man stand in the way, it strikes him 

 such a blow, as to maim him. 



Q. What is THUNDER ? 



A. Lightning parts the air through 

 which it passes; and when the parted 

 air closes again, the noise made by the 

 concussion, is called Thunder. 



Q. Why does lightning PART the air through 

 which it passes ? it does not part a rod of iron. 



A. Iron is a conductor, and therefore 

 allows the fluid to go freely through it : 

 but air being a non-conductor, resists the 

 lightning ; which, therefore, rips it open, 

 in order to pass through it. 



Q. Why is THUNDER sometimes ONE VAST 

 CRASH ? 



A. When the lightning-cloud is near 

 the earth, as the flash is straight, the 

 whole volume of air (through which it 

 passes) collapses at once ; and produces 

 one unbroken sudden crash. 



Q. What is meant by the air collapsing ? 



