2007-11-24 11:38:37 · 5 answers · asked by AirGear/GSD Fan 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Depends on the situation. If you stick wires into someone's heart, and pulse the current to put it into fibrillation, it will probably take less than a thousandth of an amp.
2007-11-24 11:42:17 · answer #1 · answered by cortex_disconnect 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The minimum current in which there is some chance of the heart going into (potentially fatal) fibrillation is only 10 milliamps. The current would have to pass through the heart for such a small current, though, such as if it went from one hand to the other through the chest. That's the most dangerous way to get shocked for this reason. It's best to keep one hand behind your back, if possible, when working with high voltage.
2007-11-24 20:05:29 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Discovery Channel's Mythbusters, a shock of 6 milliamps across the heart is fatal.
2007-11-24 20:12:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the voltage, as high is the voltage higher will be the current, but around 300miliampere and above could be considered fatal.
2007-11-24 19:46:03 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reference gives quite a few examples of lethal currents under various circumstances.
2007-11-24 21:06:25 · answer #5 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋