If a current of one or two-tenths of an ampere were to flow into one of your hands and out the other, you would most likely be electrocuted right? But, if the same current were to flow into your hand and out the elbow above the same hand, you could survive, even though the current might be large enough to burn your flesh. Why is this??
2006-09-26 13:51:30 · 5 answers · asked by MegN 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
if it crosses your chest, it can interfere with the electrical conduction of the heart. This can be fatal.
If it exits without crossing the chest, then the heart may be spared.
2006-09-26 13:55:33 · answer #1 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is true that current passing through the heart is what can Kill you....however there are some other possibilities that can cause death.
Electricity essentially scrambles the nervous system, temporarily shutting down the electro-chemical activity required to pass neurological information from one point to another. If the scrambling occurs for an extensive period of time, the neuropathways may not be able to establish communication quickly after electrocution.....this is what kills people.
Thus the two most deadly points on the human body is the heart AND the Spinal cord between the brain and heart.
2006-09-26 21:08:58 · answer #2 · answered by reggieman 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
electricity takes the shortest path it can if it happens to pass through your heart you will die thats why people survive lighting strikes if i does not pass throught the heart ur ok
2006-09-26 20:55:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because there are no vital organs (such as the heart), between the hand and elbow.
2006-09-26 21:01:48 · answer #4 · answered by hightechredneck 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mabe coz it wont pass through the heart or the brain
2006-09-27 12:41:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anthony 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋