Is the electric field in the human body zero?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on whether the electric field within the human body is zero, referencing Gauss's law about charge distribution in conductors. It is established that while the human body acts as a conductor, the net electric field inside is indeed zero. However, there are significant local electric fields due to various chemical potentials, such as those involved in nerve impulses. The analogy of the body being similar to a bag of salty water is used to illustrate its conductive properties. Overall, the body exhibits no net electric field despite the presence of localized electrical activity.
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According to Gauss, a closed conducting body will distribute the charge to the surface. Since the human body is a conductor does that mean the electric field in our body is zero? :cool:
 
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What makes you think the human body is a conductor??
 
Is a lot like a bag of salty water.

Yes, there is no net electric field. There are lots of local chemical potentials though. Nerve impulses etc.
 
Hmm, okay, I guess I can believe it. At one point I knew some biology... not anymore.
 

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