Can nine volts of electricity kill you?

Question

Simple as that. Can nine volts of electricity kill you.

Answer 1

It's not the potential (ie voltage) that kills. It's the flow of current (amps).

The correct answer is maybe. generally 50 milli amps is considered the life threatening limit. given that

V = I x R, R = V / I = 9 volts / .050 amps = 180 ohms. so if your pass 9 volts through your heart and the resistance is < 180 ohms, then you could die.

As to what the resistance through human tissue is, here's a site that claims 1000 ohms and calculates deadly voltages as well.

http://www.htlstp.ac.at/~inetwrk1/Strom_e/Gefahr_e.htm

Note however, the value of 1000 ohms used in the article depends on the area of the current flow as well as the length of current flow. For example, a large area for a short distance (such as two electrodes on your chest has lower resistance than two pinpoint electrodes on either index finger.

Answer 2

In principle, it is possible, but the current would probably have to be applied directly to the heart. That is, if you had two electrodes connected to a nine volt source, and stuck them into somebody's chest so that they contacted the heart, it could cause fibrillation, which could lead to cardiac arrest.

It only takes about 50 milli-amps of current through the heart to cause fibrillation, which is the immediate cause of death by electrocution. Current is voltage/ resistance. The human body has a lot of electrical resistance, so normally it takes a high voltage to get enough current to the heart to cause electrocution. (110 volts is more than enough.) But if the current is applied directly to the heart, it only takes a little voltage.

Answer 3

Normally a 9V battery can't kill you. Yes, it's the amps, not the volts, but we all know ohm's law - enough volts and you'll get the amps. But blood is a very good conductor. If you stick the leads through your skin, you'll get a very good circuit - direct through the heart. So yes, that will kill you.

Answer 4

Chris B is correct. I would like to mention, though, that it is necessary to have enough voltage to form enough "pressure" to cause a current to pass through your body. Touching a 12 volt system in an automobile will not electrocute you, but were you to double that battery voltage (I suspect it is for this reason there is a 12 volt system in an auto), you could be fried, fried due to the current flowing through your body.

Answer 5

I read somewhere that it takes at least 60 volts to kill you, but I'm not sure about that. It may also depend on where it is applied, perhaps a low voltage applied to the heart might be enough to stop it.

Answer 6

Yes, at high enough current (amps) it could. Amps are the killer, not volts.

Answer 7

Yes. Can a penny kill you? Yes again, if propelled at a high enough speed.

Answer 8

no it shuldnt

Answer 9

no