Question

why are the spikes of lightining conductor always point towards the sky?

Answer 1

Your answer :

Lightning conductors typically have an upward pointing spike. The other end is attached to Ground through a low resistance band of copper conductor. The aim is to short circuit the electrical charge that builds up in the atmosphere, bypassing the fabric of the building.

In old stone buildings a tremendous amount of water gathers in the mortar and would provide a super conductor to lightning strikes. When high current passes between the stones it tends to get very hot, explosively. This causes destruction to ancient walls.

Lightning originates from a build-up of charge in the atmosphere (and on the ground). The main source of this charge is the solar wind, or electric current stream, from the Sun. Our atmosphere acts as a giant capacitor dielectric. We now know that electric charge accumulates from above due to the sprites and elves witnessed in the upper atmosphere.

Hope this helps.

Have a nice day =)

Answer 2

lightining conductors are generally situated at the top of high buildings and skyscrapers. lightinning generally hits tall objects therefore the spikes of lightining conductors point towards the sky to some what , increase the are for lightining to hit.