Originally Posted by
alcanoe
Close, but not really. Air will ionize/break down at far fewer volts/mm than rubber (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dielectric_strength). Therefore things like rubber, plastic (like electric tape) and glass/ceramic are used as insulators because they can stand more volts/mm .
I'll let you and the author of this article duke it out on any disagreements. I'm betting on the author of the article, who wrote:
So if the lightning bolt can overcome the resistance of air, it can easily overcome the resistance of a rubber tire.
http://www.weatherimagery.com/blog/r...ect-lightning/