Abstract
Electrical devices perform the tasks that they are designed for, thanks to the energy supplied to them by “electricity”. AC generators at a power station provide the electromotive force that causes electrons to oscillate within conductors. The energy of oscillating electrons is transformed into useful work within the electrical device. The human body, inside the skin, can also conduct electricity because its solutions contain many dissolved ions (electrolytes). If due to a fault, electric current flows through the skin into a person from a domestic electrical device, operating on a 50 Hz, 240 V circuit capable of delivering 5A (say); the energy so deposited in the person will cause harm and perhaps death. This is called macro-electrocution as the current required to produce a significant shock is greater than about 5 mA. There are safety precautions in place to prevent this from happening.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsAuthor information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Caon, M. (2018). Electricity. In: Examination Questions and Answers in Basic Anatomy and Physiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75599-1_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75599-1_18
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-75598-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-75599-1
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)