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Question

why a bird sitting on a bare cable does not feel any shock?


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Solution

Two reasons why a bird sitting on a power cable does not feel any shock.

  1. It will always follow the path that requires the least amount of effort and will flow best through conductors. Copper is used to making electrical lines, which are excellent conductors. Birds aren't particularly good conductors. One of the reasons they don't get shocked when they sit on electrical lines is because of this. Instead of traveling through the bird's body, the energy continues to flow along the wire.
  2. Birds do not get shocked when they sit barefoot on a power cord, there is no voltage differential when we talk about a single wire. There must be a difference in electrical potential for electrons to travel.

Electric Potential Difference

  1. The work done in moving a unit positive charge from one place to another is called electric potential difference within an influence of the electric field.
  2. It is symbolized by the letter V.
  3. For example, energy flows from high-voltage zones to low-voltage places. If it flows at 35,000 volts through one power cable, it will continue to proceed along the path with less resistance. As a result, the birds will not be shocked. Birds can sit on power lines without getting electrocuted because the electricity traveling through the wires seeks to reach the ground.

Hence, these are the two most important reasons why a bird sitting on a power cable does not experience any shock. A path with less resistance allows electric current to flow more freely.


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