Question

The material of which the lightning conductor is made up of is
A. Plastic
B. FRP
C. Copper
D. Carbon

Answer 1

Hint: A lightning conductor is a conducting rod that is attached at the top of a high building to protect the building from dangerous lightning strikes. The material of the rod must have high conductivity so that it easily absorbs the lightning. Check which of the options have the highest conductivity.

Complete step by step answer:
Let us first understand what a lightning conductor is and for which purpose is it used.
During the rainy season, when black clouds are formed, they contain a huge amount of free electrons. This means that the black clouds are negatively charged. And the ground below is positively charged.
Hence, a potential difference is created between the clouds and the ground. We know that when there is a potential difference across two points, an electric field is produced. Due to the electric field, the charges present will experience a force. Negatively charged particles (electrons) move from lower potential to a higher potential.
Here, the ground is at higher potential than the clouds. Therefore, the electrons from the clouds come down on the ground. However, this does happen every time because air is a poor conductor of electricity.
But, sometimes the electric field between the clouds and the ground is so strong that it ionises the sir molecules, making the air conductive. Due to the electrons from the clouds striking the ground with a very high velocity. We see this in a form of lightning.
Sometimes, the lightning may strike anybody on the ground and may cause serious damage. That is why we attach a conducting rod on top of a building. This rod is called a lightning conductor.
Since, the rod is a very good conductor of electricity, the lightning first strikes this rod. The rod is further attached to the ground. Therefore, all the high electrons are absorbed by the ground and do damage.
Therefore, the material of the rod must be a very good conductor of electricity. Out of the given options, copper is a very good conductor. Hence, the correct option is C.

Note:
This question can be answered without the knowledge of the lightning conductor. From the name itself we can understand that it is a conductor. Moreover, out of the given option, except copper, all other three are poor conductors of electricity.
Hence, the answer must be copper.