Human Resistance vs. Circuit Conductors

[anissbenthami]

TL;DR Summary

Why do I get electrically shocked when I touch a circuit knowing that the human body has a higher resistance than conductors in circuits and current tends to flow through the path of least resistance?

Have you ever wondered why you can get an electric shock when touching a circuit, even though the human body has a higher resistance than the conductors in circuits? It goes against my belief that electricity always follows the path of least resistance.

 

[gneill]

It goes against my belief that electricity always follows the path of least resistance.

That belief is false. Current flows anywhere there is a path available, but it flows according to the resistance of the path; higher resistance means less current, lower resistance means higher current.

The resistance of the body may have a higher resistance than the circuit involved, but it only takes a few milliamps of current to induce a "shock".

 

[berkeman]

Thread is closed temporarily for Moderation...

 

[berkeman]

Thread is reopened but we will not entertain a discussion about electric shocks to people.

@gneill explained the issue well. I'll just add this link for @anissbenthami to learn more about how current division works:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_divider

 

[DaveC426913]

You can work out the ratio of wattage that will pass through both paths of this circuit simultaneously.

Not a lot will pass through R2. But it won't be zero.

 

[anissbenthami]

You can work out the ratio of wattage that will pass through both paths of this circuit simultaneously.
View attachment 331607
Not a lot will pass through R2. But it won't be zero.

So I will be considered as a parallel resistance in the circuit

 

[DaveC426913]

So I will be considered as a parallel resistance in the circuit

Exactly.