Whee! Thunderstorm!

[rjlona]

We're having a thunderstorm! I love thunderstorms! Of course, I was just about to get in the bathtub. Now, I've been told that it's dangerous to be in a bathtub or shower during a thunderstorm, but I've also been told that it's perfectly safe. So which is it? Any help from all you scientist friends of mine? I know you're mostly biologists, but surely someone must have a good answer for this.

Comments

[grimfaire.livejournal.com]

The only way it would not be safe is if there is a way to close the circuit.

Electricity has to follow a path. It can't go through non-conductive material (like the tub itself).

It can travel along copper or other ferrous pipes but not through any PVC piping. It can travel through water.

Now the question would be... is there a possibility for it to travel along the pipes and/or water in the pipes to the bathtub... that answer is yes... but it would need a method of going from there to you or the water in the tub.

If the faucet contacts the water or yourself then it could complete the circuit and you might get a bit toasty... otherwise it would be safe.

[magda-vogelsang.livejournal.com]

What about the drain and the pipe from it?