This is for a school project. I am creating a circuit that makes the body a part of it. Supposedly, it should work, but it doesn't. Any explanation?
2007-03-08 00:48:54 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
This is for a school project. You see, this is just a simple circuit, but with added electrodes. You are supposed to place your two fingers on the two electrodes then the load is going to light. BUT IT DOES NOT. HOW SO?
The circuit works though, without the electrodes.
2007-03-08 00:58:45 · update #1
Make certain you are using the 9volt battery, not the 1.5 volt battery. Make sure no part of your body is " Grounding" out, or that is the path the current will take - the path of least resistance. Make sure you have " Good" contact on your electrodes ( clean end to be certain - rid them of corrosion or oxidization).
Without touching the ends of the electrodes - touch them to each other and see if your light lights - up, if not the problem is in the circuit. If the circuit works without the probes then your problem is in one of the probes.
Personally, I'd question the fact if there is even enough energy in a battery to travel through the body and light the light in addition, but thats just me.
Remember, the best insulator in the world is not perfect, it has some degree of conduction or leakage in the case of insulators. But the same applies to the conductors, no conductor is perfect, it offers some degree of resistance; hence, the human body does conduct electricity but offers some degree of resistance - which you may see at low voltages like this.
2007-03-08 02:12:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are two things you should know
Conductors and Insulators
There are material with a lot of free electrons thus making it an conductors as for insulators has low or zero free electrons.
As for human body, it is considered a conductor as well. Even electron travel on air (thunder). Under high voltage, even things that is less likely to conduct electricity will be able to conduct.
You can try getting a lemon and make a 2 small slice on top of the lemon and then insert a silver coin and gold coin in each respective slice of gap. Make sure it is 1 inch a part. Then wait for awhile for the acid in the lemon to react with the metal. There will be a polarity difference on each coin. try putting your tongue on both the coin and you will feel a small electric charge flowing through it. Test it with a multi meter. YOu will be able to detect current flow
GOod luck with your school project.
You can YAHOO SEARCH the method of conducting the experiment in detail as my explanation is kind of brief.
Enjoy
2007-03-08 08:59:01 · answer #2 · answered by lcm 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should not work.
The body is not a very good conductor of electricity. The resistance of dry human body can reach up to one million ohms, which is very high.
Even if the body is wet, and the resistance drastically drops, much voltage is still needed.
It is also a very dangerous thing to do, since
"The damage caused by electric shock depends on the current flowing through the body -- 1 mA can be felt; 5 mA is painful. Above 15 mA, a person loses muscle control, and 70 mA can be fatal."
The current needed to light a bulb is around 50 mA.
2007-03-08 11:03:08 · answer #3 · answered by puakk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the water inside your body that acts as the conductor. The body is 80% water, and so if you were to place a 9volt battery against your wet tongue, you can feel the charge running through. Also, things like sweat levels and hydration levels can affect your conductivity, again, due to water content.
2007-03-08 08:58:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The body is really a conductor of electricity. And rather a good one.
As for your project...... I think a bit more information would be needed to make any kind of informed comment.
Doug
2007-03-08 08:55:06 · answer #5 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the human body is like a resistor,low voltages wont pass through the body as easy as say lighting.. shock will occur from voltages as low 60 volts up to 220 volts. higher voltages will cause current to flow through the body more rapidly.
2007-03-08 09:01:01 · answer #6 · answered by DASH 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah it really is! One perfect proof is the static electricity we formed when our body hair were in contact with another person's body hair. This usually causes a bit of a tingling effect that may result to a shout.ü
2007-03-08 08:57:34 · answer #7 · answered by rockista!! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the body is a good conductor.It will work, but be careful.Too large of any developed charge is dangerous. Keep the voltage low.
2007-03-08 08:57:11 · answer #8 · answered by Ted 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes it would work but the body offers more resistance than that offered by wires.
2007-03-08 10:05:24 · answer #9 · answered by satwik 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is especially if wet.
2007-03-08 08:52:04 · answer #10 · answered by Samantha 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋