Ever wondered why birds don’t get electrocuted on a power cable?
We all must have witnessed this in the picture, birds sitting on a power cable. Of course, electricity flows through them. But nothing happens to the birds. They seem to be so relaxed sitting there. Do you know why birds don’t get electrocuted? Read on to find out.
The flow of electrons through a conductor is defined as electricity. The power cables are made of copper, as it is a very good conductor of electricity and also has least resistance. Electricity always takes the path of least resistance. Bird’s body offers greater resistance therefore, electricity ignores the bird’s body. Thus, birds don’t get electrocuted while sitting on a power cable.
But there is also a chance of the bird getting electrocuted. Electricity flows from highest potential to lowest potential. The power cables run at different potentials. If both legs of the bird are on the same power cable, the bird is safe. But if the bird’s legs are on two different power cables, then the electricity flows through bird to go to the other cable with lower potential.
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