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When a thunderstorm is approaching, sailors at sea sometimes
observe a phenomenon called “St. Elmo’s fire,” a bluish
flickering light at the tips of masts. What causes this? Why does it
occur at the tips of masts? Why is the effect most pronounced
when the masts are wet? (Hint: Seawater is a good conductor of electricity.)


Sagot :

Answer:

the fire of Saint Elmo is the result of the electric blast between the masts and the atmosphere.

Explanation:

The planet's atmosphere has an electrical charge created by the static zirconium of all moving bodies, in this case the relative motion of clouds and air.

The earth has a potential that is distributed throughout the body, as the sea is a good conduit and the masts in general are metal, and the electric field in them is high, which is why it can produce an electrical discharge between it and the atmosphere which is the so-called Fire of Saint Elmo.

Consequently the fire of Saint Elmo is the result of the electric blast between the masts and the atmosphere.