Question 5

Lightning rods protect buildings by drawing lightning away from them.

Lightning rods serve the essential purpose of protecting buildings by creating a low resistance path for lightning, allowing it to safely travel to the ground rather than entering the building.

A) Increase the frequency of lightning strikes

This option is incorrect because lightning rods do not increase the frequency of strikes. Instead, they are designed to safely channel lightning that does strike in the vicinity, thereby protecting structures.

B) Protect buildings by drawing lightning away from them

This option is correct as lightning rods effectively protect buildings by directing lightning safely into the ground. The passage emphasizes that they form a low resistance path, preventing lightning from entering and damaging the structure.

C) Attract lightning to specific locations

This statement is misleading. While lightning rods can provide a path for lightning when it occurs, they do not attract lightning. Their purpose is to offer a safe route for lightning to follow if it strikes nearby.

D) Store electrical energy from lightning strikes

This option is incorrect because lightning rods do not store electrical energy. They are meant to safely dissipate the energy of a lightning strike into the ground, not to capture or store it.

Conclusion

The correct answer is B, as lightning rods are specifically designed to protect buildings by directing lightning away from them. All other options misinterpret the function of lightning rods or describe purposes they do not serve, highlighting the importance of understanding their role in lightning safety.