What is lightning proportional to?

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Likith D
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    Lightning Proportional
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the factors influencing the severity of injuries from electric shocks, with a particular focus on the relationship to lightning, as suggested by the thread title. Participants explore various aspects of electrical injuries, including potential difference, current, and other circumstantial factors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the severity of injuries from electric shocks depends on voltage, current, and resistance, along with other factors like body contact and conductivity.
  • Others point out that individual differences in electrical resistance, such as skin condition and surface area of contact, can significantly affect the outcome of an electric shock.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of the path the current takes through the body, noting that current flowing from one hand to the feet is less dangerous than current flowing from one hand to the other through the heart.
  • There is a repeated inquiry about the relevance of the initial question to lightning, indicating a potential disconnect in the discussion's focus.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that multiple factors influence the severity of electric shocks, but there is no consensus on how these factors relate specifically to lightning or the initial question posed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of electrical injuries, with various assumptions about individual physiology and environmental conditions that remain unresolved.

Likith D
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Say that i were to hold an electric appliance
obvious, i receive an electric shock
What will 'how bad my injuries will be' depend on ?
Is it potential difference, current, heating effect, ...
 
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Yes. Voltage, current, resistance, but many other circumstantial factors such as what part of the body, area of contact, conducivity of connection, etc.
 
Could you rephrase the question and add a little more detail? Different people have different electrical resistance, so that question as phrased would be difficult to answer. Someone with really dry skin for example could possibly offer more resistance to the current so damage may be more localized. Clothing, shoes and as Dave pointed out body contact, surface area of contact, even which foot is making contact with the ground would make a difference.
 
Likith D said:
Say that i were to hold an electric appliance
obvious, i receive an electric shock
What will 'how bad my injuries will be' depend on ?
Is it potential difference, current, heating effect, ...

and what does that have to do with lightning as posted in the title ??Dave
 
davenn said:
and what does that have to do with lightning as posted in the title ??Dave
OOHHHH sorry 'bout that one...
 
How you hold it can make a difference. For example you are more likely to survive if the current flows from one hand, down through your body and shoes than if it flows from one hand to the other via your heart. Not least because you shoes help reduce the magnitude of the current.

You should avoid working on "live" equipment when possible but if that's not possible then keeping one hand in your pocket might just save you (or it might not).
 

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