How can electricity both kill and revive someone? How does the amount of voltage affect this?

Context

Electricity can have both life-saving and life-threatening effects. It can cause cardiac arrest, but it can also be used to restart a heart. Defibrillators, for example, deliver a controlled electric shock to the heart to restore a normal heart rhythm.

Simple Answer

  • Electricity affects your body based on the voltage.
  • High voltage can cause your heart to stop beating, leading to death.
  • Low voltage can stimulate your heart to start beating again if it has stopped.
  • Defibrillators use low voltage to restart hearts.
  • Electrical devices must be used safely to avoid dangerous high voltage.

Detailed Answer

Electricity affects your body differently depending on the voltage. High voltage, like that found in power lines, can cause your heart to stop beating, leading to death.

Low voltage, on the other hand, can stimulate your heart to start beating again if it has stopped. This is why defibrillators, which deliver a controlled electric shock to the heart, can be used to restart hearts.

The amount of voltage that is safe for the human body depends on a number of factors, including the duration of exposure, the path of the current through the body, and the individual's overall health.

In general, voltages below 50 volts are considered to be safe, while voltages above 500 volts are considered to be dangerous.

It is important to note that even low voltages can be dangerous if they are applied to the body for a prolonged period of time. Therefore, it is always important to use electrical devices safely and to avoid contact with high voltage sources.

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