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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Classic Forums Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Customer Service Advertise With Us Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map Email Story to a Friend October 4, 2006 Since You Asked Please settle an argument. The reason that lightning doesn't zap people inside a car is the rubber of the car's tires. True, or not? -- Joe G., Phoenix Not, Joe. It's because the metal body of the car forms what's known as a Faraday cage. That's an enclosure that excludes electromagnetic fields. Electric charges on the surface of the cage repel each other and don't enter the enclosed space. The cage was built and the principle explained by Michael Faraday in 1836. He's the guy for whom an electric unit is named (the "Farad"). Such cages are widely used to protect electrical equipment. Airplanes are Faraday cages. Incidentally, most cars are Faraday cages. Fibergalss cars are not, nor are convertibles. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Online Casino Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary