Like truly think about seeing this with 0 understanding of what it was

all 20 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 48 points 10 months ago (5 children)

I mean high voltage also takes the path of least resistance. But sometimes the path of least resistance is the air.

  • source
  • hideshow 5 child comments
  • [–] 23 points 10 months ago (4 children)

    It actually takes all paths proportionally. This is partly why nearby lightning strikes are so dangerous. Even if the ground is a better conductor than your legs, enough current can still flow to stop your heart.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 16 points 10 months ago (3 children)

    Why is your heart in your legs?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 3 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 10 months ago (1 child)

    There is a path, from the ground, up your leg, across your torso (including your heart) and down your other leg.

    This is the reason that downed high voltage power lines are so dangerous. Walking with a long stride can create enough of a differential to fibrillate your heart.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 41 points 10 months ago (4 children)

    Basic science: there are conductors and there are insulators

    Advanced science: also there are semiconductors because of quantum mechanics and stuff

    Mad science: everything is a conductor if you’re brave enough

  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 29 points 10 months ago

    Meanwhile high frequency signals: conductors? Where we are going we don't need conductors!

  • source
  • [–] 17 points 10 months ago

    I understand it and still think it’s incredible. Lightning is on the order of 100 million volts, and 30 thousand amps. Wow.

  • source
  • [–] 12 points 10 months ago (1 child)

    At high enough voltage everything becomes a conductor.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 10 points 10 months ago

    The dose makes the poison!

  • source
  • [–] 10 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

    I would assume by electricity they mean current and it quite literally does not follow the path of least resistance it is just split inversly proportionally based on the resistance of paths.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago