Question

Which one of the following statements is correct?
A).Lightning rods are made of insulators
B).A conductor holds charge
C). The earth is an insulator
D).An insulator prevents charge from flowing

Answer 1

Lightning rods are used to easily transport the electrons from a lightning strike to the ground. Conductors conduct charges and an insulator inhibits the free flow of charges.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
An insulator does not allow the charges to flow through them.
Lightning rods are used to protect tall buildings from lightning. If they are made of insulators then it won’t be able to protect the building from lightning. Hence conducting materials are used in their manufacturing which can transport the charge from the lightning to the earth without bringing any harm to the building.
A conductor does not hold charge, it allows the flow of charges. On the other hand an insulator holds charge.
The Earth is a good conductor that is why the lightning rods are connected to the ground such that the charges can easily flow to the earth.
Option D (An insulator prevents charge from flowing) is the correct answer.

Note:
The behaviour of the charged body depends on whether the object consists of a material conducting or non-conducting. Conductors are materials that allow free passage of electrons from particle to particle. Unlike conductors, insulators are materials that prevent the free passage of electrons from one atom to another atom. The excess charge remains at the initial charge site when the charge is moved at a particular place to an insulator.