Can volts kill a human

Answer 1

Current is correct. Current is the flow of electrons, and it is this flow that is disruptive to the human body.

Another term for voltage is "potential," which is helpful to remember. Voltage is the measure of potential for current to flow. If the potential is small, the current will not flow so much, all other things being equal. By the same token, a large potential can create a large flow. This is why "high voltage" is considered dangerous -- it represents a large potential for current to flow. For current to flow, however, a circuit must be created to make a path for the electrons. If you make yourself part of this circuit, ZAP!

The amount of current that flows in a circuit is proportional to the potential, and inversely proportional to the resistance of the circuit:

Current = Potential / Resistance (often written I = V / R )

A useful analogy is to think of water (electrons) in a pipe (circuit). When the faucet is shut (like a switch in the "off" position), no water flows (current). But there is potential for water to flow because pressure (voltage) is exerted on one side. If you were a tiny person in the pipe (in a pressure suit with a breathing apparatus!) nothing bad would happen. The fact that there is pressure in the pipe means nothing when there is no water flowing. Now, open the faucet and let the current flow. The flow rate is greater when the upstream pressure is higher, but it is limited by the shape and size (resistance) of the pipe. If you were still hanging around inside the pipe, you would feel the effect of the water flowing by you. If this flow is very large, you could be torn apart. That is the analogy of being electrocuted.

Manvith Says:

Actually, voltage is the electric potential, or potential energy for each electron, not potential energy. Current is rate at which the electrons flow. In order to see what effect it would have on a person, think of it like this: if you have high current and low voltage, then the electrons would not have that much energy, but there would be a lot of them flowing into your body because the current is high. But, if the voltage is high and the current is low, then the electrons would carry more energy, but there would not be many of them flowing into your body because the current is low. Looking at it this way, current and voltage should be equally deadly, but in real life current is more life-threatening. This is because your heart uses electrical impulses to control how fast your heart beats and if you get a few high voltage electrons, it won't really do much to your heart beat, but getting a lot of them at low voltages would.

Vignesh Says

Current is Directly proportional to Voltage & vice versa

Shock depends on the resistance of the body.

If the voltage is 1000V and your body have infinity resistance(current=voltage/Resistance(infinity)=zero - no current flow in the body), it wont affect you.

If the voltage is 1V and your body have 0.001 OHM resistance (current=voltage/Resistance(0.001)=1000 amps current flow in the body), it will affect you.(Think.. why coin cell battery having very low voltage will shock your tongue, becoz tongue has very low resistance)

Edit: I did not intend to erase previous answers. My apologies as I misunderstood the nature of the editing tool.

Comment

Voltage is not another term for potential. Voltage is another term for potential difference!

Answer 2

This varies considerably due to the dampness and thickness of the skin exposed to the shock. Heart surgeons can stop the heart beating with 12 volts DC applied either side of the heart .

Van der Graaf generators can administer a static shock of 100,000 volts without harm.

so the size and duration of the electric current is involved in lethality.

An electric current across the chest is the most dangerous.This can happen if you have bare feet and you reach out and accidently touch a live wire.

Answer 3

Yes, exposure to high voltage electricity can be fatal to a human. Electrocution disrupts the normal functioning of the body's electrical systems, including the heart. The severity of the shock and the pathway it takes through the body will determine the extent of injury, which can range from minor burns to death.

Answer 4

The combination of volts and amps drawnn is what kills.