# Mathematical error in static electricity column (03/30/2012) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [March 30, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematical-error-in-static-electricity-column-03-30-2012/617281 "2012-03-30T15:10:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Huwmanbeing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7bcc69/32.png) [@Huwmanbeing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huwmanbeing)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematical-error-in-static-electricity-column-03-30-2012/617281/1 "2012-03-30T15:10:33Z")
I enjoyed today’s column on static electricity, but noticed that Cecil makes a pretty sizable mathematical error in the final paragraph: he describes a lightning bolt of 500 megajoules as 370,000 times greater than the lethal dose of 1,350 millijoules. In fact, a bolt of 500 megajoules is actually around 370 **million** times greater than one of 1,350 millijoules. ~Huw Williams, Lafayette, IN ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematical-error-in-static-electricity-column-03-30-2012/617281/2 "2012-03-30T18:50:50Z")
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **Huwman Being** , we’re glad to have you with us. When you start a thread, it’s helpful to other readers to provide a link to the column in question. Yes, it’s today’s column, but in a few weeks it will float down into the Archives. So, a link saves search time and helps keep us all on the same page. In this case: [Can static electricity kill you? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3044/can-static-electricity-kill-you) No prob, you’ll know for next time. And, as I say, welcome. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematical-error-in-static-electricity-column-03-30-2012/617281/3 "2012-03-30T20:03:55Z")
> [@Huwmanbeing](#): > > I enjoyed today’s column on static electricity, but noticed that Cecil makes a pretty sizable mathematical error in the final paragraph: he describes a lightning bolt of 500 megajoules as 370,000 times greater than the lethal dose of 1,350 millijoules. In fact, a bolt of 500 megajoules is actually around 370 **million** times greater than one of 1,350 millijoules. > ~Huw Williams, Lafayette, IN To verify, asking Google: [What is 500 megajoules divided by 1,350 millijoules?](http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=active&client=seamonkey-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aunofficial&q=what+is+500+megajoules+divided+by+1%2C350+millijoules%3F&oq=what+is+500+megajoules+divided+by+1%2C350+millijoules%3F&aq=f&aqi=h1&aql=&gs_l=serp.12..19.3800l3800l0l9596l1l1l0l0l0l0l66l66l1l1l0.frgbld.), Google’s reply is: “(500 megajoules) divided by (1350 millijoules) = 370 370 370”. Also, from [Who is this man called Cecil Adams?](http://www.straightdope.com/pages/faq/cecil): 1. Tell the truth. Has Cecil ever been wrong? Never. However, certain questionable situations have arisen. Veteran Straight Dope readers may remember that a column once referred to “talking books for the deaf.” Very funny. It was a new copyboy’s first day on the job. His body has never been found. So, this might get interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Huwmanbeing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7bcc69/32.png) [@Huwmanbeing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huwmanbeing)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematical-error-in-static-electricity-column-03-30-2012/617281/4 "2012-03-30T23:09:49Z")
whitetho: Thanks for the verification. My guess (and it’s just a guess) is that Cecil erroneously came to the 370,000 figure by dividing 500 million by 1,350 – but forgot that 1,350 represented _thousandths_ of joules rather than _whole_ joules, thus putting his result off by a factor of a thousand. An easy mistake to make and not a big deal… except, of course, for one who’s infallible. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2012, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematical-error-in-static-electricity-column-03-30-2012/617281/5 "2012-03-31T22:48:14Z")
It was an editing snafu. I feel embarrassed because Cecil even asked me to help review it and I didn’t catch it. It will be fixed; probably later tonight or first thing tomorrow. Thank you very much,Huwmanbeing, for being diligent and catching this. Una For the Straight Dope Edited: Actually, we just fixed it now. ---
**Author:** ![colonial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@colonial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colonial)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematical-error-in-static-electricity-column-03-30-2012/617281/6 "2012-04-01T04:30:23Z")
> [@Huwmanbeing](#): > > I enjoyed today’s column on static electricity, but noticed that Cecil makes a pretty sizable mathematical error in the final paragraph: he describes a lightning bolt of 500 megajoules as 370,000 times greater than the lethal dose of 1,350 millijoules. In fact, a bolt of 500 megajoules is actually around 370 **million** times greater than one of 1,350 millijoules. > ~Huw Williams, Lafayette, IN Holy sh\*t! _One_ lightning bolt packs enough juice to kill the _entire_ populations of the US and Canada plus a Mexican province or two? How does anyone ever survive a strike? How about airplanes? Or is only on April 1 they get that hot? ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematical-error-in-static-electricity-column-03-30-2012/617281/7 "2012-04-01T12:26:19Z")
No, corny things happen on April 1st, not fiery things.