A bird on a power line does not shock because electricity follows the shortest route...... but the Earth is also suspended in space so why does it flow towards the Earth through my body if I touch the wire while standing on the Earth?
2006-12-04 15:12:39 · 4 answers · asked by Willem V 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The current flows towards the Earth through your body because there is potential difference between the wire and the Earth. This is due to the neutral point of the transformer is solidly grounded for protection purpose. When you touch the wire you shut the circuit through the Earth towards the transformer. In the past, there were Electrical Companys that used Isolated Systems, i.e., the neutral point of the transformer wasn't grounded. In that case you could touch the wire without shock.
2006-12-04 16:06:13 · answer #1 · answered by javali 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Current always flows from high potential (voltage) to low potential. If your feet are at low potential (ground) when you touch something at high potential, current will flow through you. Some current does flow through the bird, but not much because the resistance of the bird and the wire insulation is much higher than the resistance of the wire between the bird's feet.
2006-12-04 15:19:18 · answer #2 · answered by NMAnswer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electricity is the product of electrons in atoms going from one place to another, it was already there, doesn't have anythign to do with going "to" Earth.
2006-12-04 15:27:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to browse the link about EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD
2006-12-04 15:38:17 · answer #4 · answered by Sir Torex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋