So lightning hits a pond...

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
I have the nagging suspicion that just a few months/years ago, I knew a perfectly good scientific answer.

Stupid alcohol.

I had attempted an answer but then found this

wow, good link!

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Most all kinds of impurities in water will give it enough free ions to conduct. So any kind of lake/sea water will conduct electricity.

True indeed, but doesn't salt water conduct quite a bit better than fresh water?

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Most all kinds of impurities in water will give it enough free ions to conduct. So any kind of lake/sea water will conduct electricity.

True indeed, but doesn't salt water conduct quite a bit better than fresh water?

I would guess, but it would probably depend on what minerals are present in the fresh water.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: JetBlack69
I would guess some water would evaporate due to the intense heat. Also, would the electricity travel vertically or horizontally?

I'd imagine it would travel in a half-sphere shape through the water.

 

[Match]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
I have the nagging suspicion that just a few months/years ago, I knew a perfectly good scientific answer.

Stupid alcohol.

I had attempted an answer but then found this

Very soft waters have a specific resistance of about 50,000 ohms; average fresh water about 6,000, and hard water about 3,000 ohms. Average sea water has a resistance of only 18 ohms.

Nice link. I'd no idea sea water was so conductive.

Originally posted by: jagec
Oh yes it does. Not well, but it does. 10^-14 disassociation into OH- and H+ is enough for it to conduct, albeit only a tiny bit.

Our teachers lied to us

I googled around and found the same thing. I wonder what else I accept as fact that I was taught in school.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

This thread has more stupid in it than should be allowed by law.

 

[Match]

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt
This thread has more stupid in it than should be allowed by law.

You're right. Some people are even using adjectives as nouns! :Q

:beer: