Why doesn’t lightning striking lakes/ocean fry all the fish, yet swimming during a lightning storm is a terrible idea?
When lightning hits the ocean, the discharge spreads over the surface of the water. Any fish/human near the surface will be electrocuted. Edit: humans are also better conductors than fish so the damage will be more substantial.
The Short Answer
When lightning hits the ocean, the discharge spreads over the surface of the water. Any fish/human near the surface will be electrocuted. Edit: humans are also better conductors than fish so the damage will be more substantial.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Surface, fish, lightning
This explanation focuses on surface, fish, lightning and spans 38 words across 3 sentences. At 46% below the average Nature explanation (71 words), the answer takes a direct, no-frills approach — sometimes the simplest explanation is the most effective.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “When lightning hits the ocean, the discharge spreads over the surface of the water.” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 3 connected points.
How This Compares in Nature
Ranked #376 of 500 Nature questions by answer depth (top 76%). This is a brief primer — the answer is intentionally short. For questions with a single core mechanism, brevity can actually be a strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why lightning striking lakes/ocean fry all the fish, yet swimming during a lightning storm is a terrible idea?
When lightning hits the ocean, the discharge spreads over the surface of the water. Any fish/human near the surface will be electrocuted. Edit: humans are also better conductors than fish so the damage will be more substantial.
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Nature questions?
This is a brief answer at 38 words, ranked #376 of 500 Nature questions by depth. The key concepts covered are surface, fish, lightning.
What approach does this answer take to explain lightning striking lakes/ocean fry all the fish, yet swimmin?
The explanation uses direct explanation across 38 words. It is categorized under Nature and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.