Question

What is electric shock?

Answer 1

Hint: When an electric current flows through the human body it may damage the internal organs, burn the skin, and even kill the person if the voltage is very high. This is called an electric shock.

Complete step by step solution:
As we know, the human body is a good conductor of electricity. When a person touches live wire our body provides a path for electricity to flow. When current passes through a person’s body electric shock is felt.

Additional information:
Electric shock occurs when a person comes in contact with electrical energy.
The strength of electric shock depends on the voltage of current and how long the person was in contact.
Reasons for electrical shock are the following:
1. Poor functioning appliances.
2. Exposed wires, plugging many cords in one outlet.
3. When there is insulation loss over the wires in the circuit or lack of ground of appliances.

The electrical resistance of the human body is variable and changes during the flow of current through the body. The path that the current takes through the body is also an important factor.

If we look at the human body as a conductor, the body behaves like a solution of electrolytes in a leathery container. The greatest current density occurs along the axis joining the two points of contact. As the distance perpendicular to the line of current flow increases, the density of current rapidly falls off.
Hence, those organs most likely to be affected are those that lie close to the direct path of the current.
The great majority of electrical fatalities are due to currents passing between an arm and the legs, the current passes through the chest and affects the organs within it.

Note: Higher voltage and longer contact cause more damage to the human body.