Question

The vehicles carrying inflammable fluids usually have metallic chains touching the ground :

• A. To conduct excess charge due to air friction to ground and prevent sparking.
• B. To alert other vehicles.
• C. To protect tyres from catching dirt from ground.
• D. It is a custom.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

When vehicles move, particularly at high speeds, friction between the vehicle body and the air can cause the accumulation of static electric charge on the surface of the vehicle. For vehicles carrying inflammable fluids, the presence of static electricity poses a significant risk as it can lead to sparking, which may cause combustion or an explosion if the fluid is highly flammable.
To mitigate this risk, metallic chains are often attached to such vehicles, ensuring that they touch the ground. The metallic chains provide a conductive path for the excess static charge to flow safely to the ground, thereby preventing the buildup of static electricity and reducing the risk of sparking.