Definition of Electric Shock
Electric shock is the physiological reaction or injury caused ny electric current passing through the (human) body. It occurs upon contact of a body part with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair.
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In cases of exposure to high
voltages, such as on a power transmission tower, physical contact with energized wiring or objects may not be necessary to cause electric shock, as the voltage may be sufficient to "jump" the air gap between the electrical device and the victim.
Our bodies having electrical properties
- Everything in the world is made up of atoms and so is our body.
An atom is the smallest possible amount of matter which still retains its identity as a chemical element. It consists of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.
These atoms are made of protons, electrons & neutrons. Protons have positive charges, electrons have negative charges and neutrons have no charge.
- About 60% of the adult human body is made of water and most of it is contained in various body fluids. Water is a compound made of two elements; Hydrogen and Oxygen
2H2 + O2 = 2H2O
and contained in these are protons, electrons and neutrons.
The Cause of Electric Shock and how the Shock actually comes
Electric shock is caused by electric current and current depends on potential difference (p.d) measured in volts and resistance which our body possesses.
I (current) = V (voltage) / R (resistance)
Potential difference requires two points.
Potential difference is the difference of electrical potential between two points.
This is why birds standing on domestic distribution conductors (415V) don't get electrocuted (since their body is in contact with only one conductor i.e only one potential). If their bodies by chance get in contact with another of the conductors, there would be two electrical potential points, thereby leading to its electrocution.
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Holding the livewire (positive(+), usually coated in red) of our domestic electrical wiring only would not give us an electric shock if our body is completely isolated from the earth, since there is only potential at a point.
The earth has potential; if you are in contact with the earth and a livewire, a potential difference would be created. The earth mustn't be the ground (sand). Conductors connected to the ground and building walls act as earth.
Holding both the live (+) and neutral (-) would create a shock and might electrocute us since there are potentials at points creating a potential difference.
The minimum current a body can feel depends on the current type (AC or DC) and frequency. A person can feel at least 1mA of AC at 50-60Hz, while at least 5mA for DC. A sustained electric shock from AC at 120V, 60Hz is an especially dangerous source of ventricular fibrillation because it usually exceeds the let-go threshold, while not delivering enough initial energy to propel the person away from the source. However, the potential seriousness of the shock depends on paths through the body that the currents take.
How the Shock actually comes
Human bodies are powered by low levels of electric current. The heart is muscle driven by low levels of electrical currrent and vam be monitored and measured with an ECG/EKG or electrocardiogram device. When the electrical signals become too weak or inconsistent as people age, it's possible to stimulate the life-giving beat with small surges of electrical current from a device know as pacemaker
This is how and why we actually receive electric shock! Whenever our body gets in contact with any current carrying wire, the current from te wire stimulates that in our bodies.
Current is the rate of flow of charges
I (current) = Q (current) / t (time)
and our bodies possess charges.
The shock is actually as a result of the sudden and rapid movement of the charges in our body, especially those in the body fluids while trying to resonate with the current of those in the electric wire.
Burns from electric shock
This is as a result of the heating effect of current.
Heat, H = I2Rt
Heat is created when current passes through resistance. The longer the period of shock, the greater the damage. Higher currents would require lesser time to produce heat.
I would appreciate if the #steemstem community can contribute & make corrections.
References
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_injury
https://www.wikilectures.eu/w/ELECTRICITY_AND_HUMAN_BODY
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