Two cows, with approximately 1.8 m between their front and hind legs, are standing under a tree during a thunderstorm. See the diagram with Conceptual Question 16.

(a) If the equipotential surfaces about the tree just after a lightning strike are as shown, what is the average electric field between Cow A's front and hind legs? 

(b) Which cow is more likely to be killed? Explain.

Data From Conceptual Question 16

During a thunderstorm, some cows gather under a large tree. One cow stands facing directly toward the tree. Another cow stands at about the same distance from the tree, but it faces sideways (tangent to a circle centered on the tree). Which cow do you think is more likely to be killed if lightning strikes the tree?

Transcribed Image Text:

200 kV 400 kV 600 kV 800 kV Cow B Tree Cow A