2007-01-15 22:56:34 · 18 answers · asked by Yussuph J 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Electricity (or electrical current) has to flow through a birds body to kill it. To flow there must be a "potential difference" or volts across the bird - like from one end of a battery to the other has Volts across it. Because the birds feet are close together and on the same wire, there is no "potential difference" or volts across the bird. The bird has not completed an electrical circuit, like before you push the on button on your torch the light doesn't come on because the electrical circuit is incomplete. As long as the bird does not come in contact with another wire alongside or an earth point to complete the electrical circuit, it will be ok. Birds get electrocuted all the time and cause power outages.
2007-01-15 23:06:03 · answer #1 · answered by =42 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is because when they sit on the wire they are only touching a single wire. To flow a current from their body (which will obviously electrocute them) they need to touch something of different polarity so that a voltage difference occurs.
Now since earth is at 0 potential so if you touch then with a wire which is earthed a current will start flowing through their body because a potential difference would occur and they would be electrocuted.
By sitting on a single wire they just get charged and because their both wings are of same charge they repel each other. If you notice their wings open automatically and they will have to again close them.
2007-01-15 23:09:20 · answer #2 · answered by Vikas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a current to flow to be electrocuted. If a bird settled on a high voltage cable and then pecked at something that was connected to earth, it would be roasted.
2007-01-15 23:00:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Electric current flow is proportional to voltage difference (according to Ohm's law), and both the bird's feet are at the same voltage. Since current flow is necessary for electric shock, the bird is quite safe unless it simultaneously touches another wire with a different voltage.
It ll be smoked if it touches the nearby wires. That what happens when we see the scary videos with people falling from parachutes or something.. they touch all the wires together. so they get Zapped ...
Hoped i helpd..
2007-01-15 23:07:18 · answer #4 · answered by Yash 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they could get one foot onto the ground they would be!
You have to complete a circuit for a current to flow. No current, no electrocution.
2007-01-15 23:14:59 · answer #5 · answered by Martin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because the bird isn't earthed. If you jump on the electrical rail on the railway line with both feet at the same time you too can pretend to be a bird sitting on a wire. (THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE TRIED)
2007-01-15 23:11:50 · answer #6 · answered by ChrisP 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because theyare not earthed, current need to flow from the cable via the object, animal or mineral, to earth for it to have any effect, that's why wearing rubber soled shoes can protect against electrocution.
2007-01-15 23:07:12 · answer #7 · answered by mike-from-spain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some american states still have electrocution.
2007-01-15 23:04:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you in reality get electricuted once you 'floor off' the wire that has electrical energy in it. by 'floor off', I mean portion of you is touching some thing that is going on to the earth. Birds do not contact the floor, or some thing that touches the floor, hence they don't get taken aback.
2016-11-24 20:53:52 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they aren't grounded. Just like the power workers who work from a helicopter don't get zapped unless they get grounded.
2007-01-16 00:36:56 · answer #10 · answered by Lt. Dan reborn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋