Final answer:
Grounding is a direct connection to the earth to remove damaging transient over voltages due to lightning. It involves fixing a conductor at zero volts by connecting it to the earth with a good conductor. A lightning rod is a conductor that collects excess charge on a building caused by an electrical storm and allows it to dissipate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Grounding is a direct connection to the earth to aid in removing damaging transient over voltages due to lightning. It involves fixing a conductor at zero volts by connecting it to the earth with a good conductor. This process allows excess charge to collect along the surface of the conductor and dissipate harmlessly.
For example, a lightning rod, which is a conductor with sharply pointed ends, collects excess charge on a building caused by an electrical storm and allows it to dissipate back into the air. This helps protect the building from damage.