País dos Raios - Fantástico - Ep. 02/03

Grupo Storm

8 Dec 201612:39

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses the dangers of lightning strikes in Brazil, highlighting recent incidents where lightning caused fatalities and damage, including the deaths of livestock and serious injuries to people. Brazil, being the country with the most lightning strikes, prompts the creation of a safety guide by Fantástico and the National Institute for Space Research. The video explains how lightning forms, the importance of lightning rods, and safety measures during storms, particularly in rural areas. It also dispels myths about lightning, emphasizing the need for awareness and preparedness.

Takeaways

⚡ Brazil experiences the highest number of lightning strikes in the world, making it crucial to know how to stay safe during storms.
🐄 Lightning can cause significant damage, such as killing livestock, as seen in the recent incident where 13 cattle were struck and killed.
🏠 Lightning strikes can also affect structures, with a mansion and a school where children were participating in a soccer tournament recently being hit.
🌩️ A lightning strike occurs when electrical charges build up in storm clouds and discharge to the ground, often resulting in severe consequences for those nearby.
👨‍🚒 Survivors of lightning strikes, like José Julio César and Altair Ramos, often face long-term health issues, including memory loss and motor coordination problems.
🏢 Lightning rods, invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1752, protect buildings but only within a certain range, so staying away from tall objects during a storm is advised.
📵 Using a cell phone during a storm is safe as long as it is not plugged into a charger; however, it's best to unplug all electronic devices to avoid damage.
🚜 Working outdoors, especially in rural areas, increases the risk of being struck by lightning. It's crucial to avoid high ground and metal objects during storms.
🌲 Seeking shelter under a tree during a storm is dangerous. It's safer to crouch low with feet together if caught in an open field.
👁️ Common myths about lightning, such as the idea that lightning doesn't strike the same place twice, are debunked. In fact, locations where lightning has struck are more likely to be struck again.

Q & A

Why is Brazil particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes?
-Brazil experiences more lightning strikes than any other country in the world due to its large land area and the combination of tropical weather patterns, which create ideal conditions for thunderstorms.
What is the primary cause of lightning formation, according to the expert in the script?
-Lightning forms when moisture in the air rises and turns into ice particles in a storm cloud. These particles collide, creating an electrical charge that eventually discharges as lightning when the charge becomes too large for the air to insulate.
What are the dangers of standing near tall objects or using metallic objects during a thunderstorm?
-Tall objects and metallic items can attract lightning. Standing near or holding such objects increases the risk of being struck by lightning, which can result in severe injury or death.
Is it safe to use a cellphone during a thunderstorm?
-Using a cellphone during a thunderstorm is safe as long as the phone is not plugged into a charger. Devices connected to electrical outlets can conduct a lightning strike, which is dangerous.
What is a common misconception about lightning and certain household objects?
-A common misconception is that mirrors attract lightning. This belief is a myth; mirrors do not attract lightning, and the perception likely arises from the reflective properties of mirrors that can give the illusion of lightning coming from them.
Why is it dangerous to take shelter under a tree during a thunderstorm?
-Taking shelter under a tree during a thunderstorm is dangerous because trees are often the tallest objects in an area, making them likely targets for lightning strikes. This can result in severe injury or death if the lightning hits the tree and travels down to the ground.
What happened to José Julio César after being struck by lightning?
-José Julio César, a police officer, was struck by lightning while riding a motorcycle. He was left unconscious for five days and suffered long-term physical impairments, including loss of sensation and coordination, leading to his retirement due to disability.
What safety measures should be taken when working outdoors during a thunderstorm?
-When working outdoors during a thunderstorm, it is essential to stay away from tall structures, metal objects, and trees. If no shelter is available, it is recommended to crouch down with feet together to minimize contact with the ground and reduce the risk of being struck.
How do lightning rods protect buildings from lightning strikes?
-Lightning rods, when installed on buildings, provide a designated path for lightning to travel safely to the ground. However, their protection is limited to a certain radius around the building, equivalent to the rod's height.
What advancements have been made in lightning monitoring and prediction in Brazil?
-Brazil has developed advanced technology to monitor and predict lightning, including the ability to capture images of upward lightning and analyze storm patterns. This technology helps in forecasting and mitigating the impacts of lightning storms.

Outlines

00:00

⚡️ Lightning Strikes Cause Damage Across Brazil

Recent lightning strikes have caused significant damage, including the deaths of several cattle in Campo Grande and injuries to children in Campos do Jordão. Brazil experiences more lightning strikes than any other country, leading to the creation of a guide to help people protect themselves. The video explains how lightning forms and can strike the same place more than once, as well as addressing common myths like the safety of using cell phones during storms.

05:02

⛈️ The Science Behind Lightning and Its Impact

The video details the science of how lightning forms, beginning with moisture in the air that turns into ice particles, eventually leading to electrical charges. It also discusses the limitations of lightning rods, which protect structures but may not cover large areas. Safety advice includes staying away from electrical devices during storms and disconnecting them from power outlets.

10:03

🌳 Lightning Safety in Rural and Urban Areas

This section focuses on the dangers of lightning in rural areas, where it has killed many people working in the fields. Practical safety tips include staying away from tall objects, avoiding metal tools, and adopting a low-profile position on the ground. The video also debunks myths, such as the idea that mirrors attract lightning, and discusses how lightning strikes can even hit urban structures like the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Lightning

Lightning is a sudden electrostatic discharge during a thunderstorm. It plays a central role in the video as it discusses the dangers of lightning strikes in Brazil, which is the country with the highest number of lightning strikes in the world. Examples from the script include lightning strikes killing livestock, damaging property, and injuring people.

💡Brazil

Brazil is highlighted as the country with the highest incidence of lightning strikes globally. This fact is crucial in understanding the video's focus on the importance of lightning safety and the need for public awareness and education about how to protect oneself during thunderstorms.

💡Thunderstorm

A thunderstorm is a weather phenomenon characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere, thunder. The video explores how thunderstorms can lead to lightning strikes, causing fatalities and property damage. The script describes the formation of thunderstorms and the associated dangers.

💡Electric discharge

An electric discharge is the flow of electricity through a medium, such as air, resulting in the release of energy in the form of lightning. The video explains how these discharges occur within storm clouds and between clouds and the ground, leading to lightning strikes that can be deadly.

💡Safety precautions

Safety precautions are measures taken to protect oneself from the dangers of lightning during thunderstorms. The video offers guidelines on how to stay safe, such as avoiding open fields, staying away from trees, and not using electrical devices during a storm. These precautions are essential for reducing the risk of being struck by lightning.

💡Survivor stories

Survivor stories refer to the personal accounts of individuals who have survived lightning strikes. The video includes stories of people like José Julio Cesar and Altair Ramos, who were struck by lightning but lived to tell their tales. These stories highlight the severity of lightning strikes and the rarity of surviving them.

💡Lightning strike frequency

Lightning strike frequency refers to how often lightning strikes occur in a particular area. The video emphasizes that certain regions in Brazil, like the countryside, experience higher frequencies of lightning strikes, making it crucial for residents to understand the risks and safety measures.

💡Lightning rod

A lightning rod is a metal rod mounted on a building and connected to the ground to protect the structure from lightning strikes. The video discusses how lightning rods attract lightning strikes, preventing them from hitting other parts of the building, and emphasizes their importance in urban areas with tall structures.

💡Electromagnetic fields

Electromagnetic fields are areas of energy that surround electrical devices and are present during lightning strikes. The video explains how these fields can be dangerous, especially when using electronic devices during a storm, as they can conduct electricity and cause harm.

💡Public awareness

Public awareness refers to the efforts made to educate people about the dangers of lightning and how to protect themselves. The video, in collaboration with the National Institute for Space Research, aims to increase public awareness by providing a comprehensive guide on lightning safety in Brazil, highlighting the need for widespread education on this issue.

Highlights

Lightning strikes have recently caused significant damage, including the death of several cattle in Campo Grande.

A lightning strike hit 13 animals during a rainstorm, spreading through a fence.

Brazil is the country with the most lightning strikes in the world.

A complete guide on how to protect yourself from lightning strikes has been prepared in partnership with the National Institute for Space Research.

A lightning strike can hit the same place twice, and using a cellphone during a storm is safe as long as it’s not charging.

Specialists explain how electric discharges form and how they result in lightning strikes.

Lightning struck a police officer named Julio Cesar while he was riding his motorcycle, causing significant injuries and memory loss.

A physical trainer named Altair Ramos was struck by lightning during a training session, with the lightning passing through his body.

The use of lightning rods, which were invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1752, helps protect buildings but only within a certain distance.

People inside buildings should avoid being near electrical outlets during storms to reduce the risk of electric shock.

In rural areas, the risk of lightning strikes is high, especially for people working in open fields.

A farmer named Arlindo survived being struck by lightning four times.

The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro has been struck by lightning several times, leaving visible scars.

The myth that mirrors attract lightning is debunked; it's merely a reflection and does not increase the risk.

Urban areas are not necessarily safer from lightning, as tall buildings and towers can attract and even generate lightning.