Why don't birds get shocked on power lines?
both feet on one wire = no voltage difference across the bird → no current.
Why don't birds get shocked sitting on an 11,000 V power line? 🐦⚡
1️⃣ SAME WIRE: current only flows when there is a voltage DIFFERENCE. Both of the bird's feet sit on the same wire, so they are at the same voltage. A meter between its feet would read 0 V: no push, no current.
2️⃣ EASY PATH: the copper between its feet has a tiny resistance, the bird a far higher one. So the current simply stays in the wire and almost nothing goes through the bird.
3️⃣ TWO WIRES = ZAP: if a big bird touches a second wire (or a pole) with a wing, there are thousands of volts across its body and current flows through it. That's why large birds sometimes get hurt on power lines.
⚠️ Never touch a power line: you stand on the ground, so YOU are the second wire.
Read the voiceover (transcript)
- Why don't birds get shocked up here?
- Current needs a voltage difference. Both feet on one wire? Zero volts!
- So the current stays in the copper. It's a far easier path than the bird!
- But a wing on a second wire? Now there's a huge voltage across it. Zap!
- Same wire, no shock!
- Next: why your phone gets hot! Follow for more!
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