How come electricity can kill?

Why is electricity of, for example, 1000v deadly?

Asker: Aaron, 12 years old

Answer

Dear Aaron,

that’s because all signals from the brain to muscles are carried by charged particles (just like electricity). If we now run electricity through our body, the signals from our brain will be disturbed. If the electric current is small, you will only feel it (sensory stimuli are also sent from the nerves to the brain by charged particles). As the electrical current increases, your muscles will contract. If you are holding an electricity cable at that moment, you will not be able to release it. And if a great current runs through your heart, your heart will not know how to beat properly and you will die. If the current is very large, your body will also burn.

It is therefore important to be very careful with electricity! The current that you can get from a socket at home can be deadly.

How come electricity can kill?

Answered by

ir. Bart De Schouwer

For my position I am in charge of a group of engineers who maintain production equipment. It is mainly with my ready knowledge (education, interests, …) that I could answer questions.

IMEC
Kapeldreef 75 3001 Leuven
http://www.imec-int.com

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