A human being can be electrocuted if a current as small as 50 mA passes near the heart. An elect

step 1 Our question says that a human being can be electrocuted if a current as small as 50 millie ampe

A human being can be electrocuted if a current as small as...

A human being can be electrocuted if a current as small as 50 $\mathrm{mA}$ passes near the heart. An electrician working
with sweaty hands makes good contact with the two conductors
he is holding, one in each hand. If his resistance is $2000 \Omega,$ what
might the fatal voltage be?

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Key Concepts

Ohm's Law

Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electrical circuits that relates voltage, current, and resistance through the formula V = IR. This relationship allows us to calculate any one of these three quantities if the other two are known, and it is essential in understanding how electric current flows when a voltage is applied across a resistor.

Electrical Safety and Shock

Electrical safety involves understanding the risks associated with the flow of current through the human body, which can be dangerous even at relatively low amperages. Recognizing that the heart is especially vulnerable to electrical currents underscores the importance of proper insulation, grounding, and protective measures when working with electrical systems.

Human Body Resistance

The human body acts as a resistor in an electrical circuit, with its resistance value varying based on factors such as skin moisture and contact area. When conditions change, such as through sweating, the body’s resistance decreases, thereby increasing the current that flows for a given applied voltage. This concept is central to understanding why even moderate voltage levels can be fatal under certain conditions.

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