Electricity And Water

 November 15th, 2011
physics
If someone throws an extension cord into the water right next to me, I understand I'm probably going to be electrocuted. If they throw it in the water a mile away, I'm probably not. What determines the dangerous distance from the power cord? Is it a sphere with its center at the cord's end and its radius the distance to the ground? Is it different in salt water? Does the voltage, or the capacity of the wire matter? Is DC (lightning) different?

Comment via: google plus, facebook, substack

Recent posts on blogs I like:

On Apologizing To Kids

Everyone is so weird about apologizing to children.

via Thing of Things August 25, 2025

Against the Teapot Hold in Contra Dancing

The teapot hold is the most dangerous common contra dancing figure, so I’ve been avoiding it. The teapot hold, sometimes called a "courtesy turn hold,” requires one dancer to connect with their hand behind their back. When I realized I could avoid put…

via Emma Azelborn August 25, 2025

Little Puppy

She's very little and she likes to do stuff with me. She also likes to bark around and run around and jump around. She also likes to go to places with me and that's all I have.

via Nora Wise's Blog Posts August 23, 2025

more     (via openring)