2007-01-06 00:45:17 · 15 answers · asked by asha v 2 in Environment
A bird on a wire does not provide a path to ground, so current does not flow through it. Current travels from high potential to low potential ("ground" being zero potential). If a bird were to touch two live wires at once, it would then be electrocuted unless the two wires had exactly the same voltage.
2007-01-06 00:47:52 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
For an electric current to flow, a complete path must exist. In the case of birds on a wire, no path exists that is better (lower resistance) that the one that already exists. Three conditions must exist if the "bird" were to get shocked: 1 - There must be sufficient potential and electric current to overcome the body resistance of the bird (no problem there). 2 - There must be little or no insulation on the wire (sometimes no problem). 3 - The bird must simultaneously contact the bare wire and a conductor providing a path to ground (earth) or another conductor with a different electric potential (a second phase of AC current, for example). Since most high wires are sufficiently Separated to prevent this type of thing from occurring, and they are also insulated both on their surface and on from the poles, it is unlikely that a bird will become a crispy critter. It does happen though . . .
2016-05-22 22:37:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
very first u must know what is current. current is the flow of electrons. for current to be flowed there should be a closed path. current flows from higher potential to lower potential. but when birds sit on open electric wires they do no form a closed loop, that is why they do not get effected by current as current is flowing through transmission line not through them. even if u get hanged on that open wire and do not touch any other thing, u also will not get affected. i think now u can understand that for flow of current there should be closed path.
2007-01-06 01:16:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can also hang like a bat from a live electric wire without any damage as long as, any other part of your body does not come into contact with an adjacent wire,the supports or the earth.
2007-01-06 16:51:54 · answer #4 · answered by karikalan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because when the negative and the positive terminals touch only shock will absorb. But the birds sit only in the one terminal so that the are not affected of the electricity.
2007-01-06 00:55:41 · answer #5 · answered by prasanna k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there needs to be a way for the electricity to get THROUGH it's conductor - meaning that it needs to have a way in and a way out. If a bird is touching TWO electric wires it will fry.
Hope this helps!
2007-01-06 00:47:30 · answer #6 · answered by Deconstitutionalization 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Electricity will always take the path of least resistance, and always flows to ground i.e. zero potential. If the bird sat on exposed live cables the electricity will take the path of least resistance through the conductor. If the wire then breaks and the bird ends up with one end in each claw the birdy will fry, its has become the path of least resistance.
2007-01-06 01:03:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you were to sit on the fence, you wouldn't get electrocuted, as long as you are not touching the ground. That's because you are not earthed, like the birds.
2007-01-06 00:50:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they are only on one wire...people who get electrocuted are touching both wires.
2007-01-06 00:54:22 · answer #9 · answered by Chelly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as they r sitting on same wire there is no potentional difference, so current cant flow through them.
2007-01-06 00:49:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋