Trystan Casey
Electricity is an essential part of the human body's functioning. Our bodies are composed of atoms, which are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The flow of electrons between atoms is what we call electricity, and our cells generate this electricity to send messages and control our actions. However, electricity can also be dangerous to the body when it enters from an external source, causing electric shock and pain. The impact of electric shock can range from tingles or jolts of pain to severe tissue damage and cardiac arrest in more serious cases. Understanding the effects of electricity on the human body is crucial for electrical safety and preventing injuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity produced by the body | Allows synapses, signals, and heartbeats to occur |
| Electricity's role in the body | Controls and enables everything we do |
| Cells and electricity | Nearly all cells can generate electricity |
| Electricity and the nervous system | Electrical signals are sent to the brain |
| Electric shock | Occurs when the body becomes part of a closed circuit |
| Electric shock | Can cause tissue damage and trigger cardiac arrest |
| Electric shock | Can "freeze" the diaphragm muscle and the heart |
| Electric shock | Can scramble nerve cell signals, causing the heart to fibrillate |
| Electric shock | Can cause death from asphyxiation and/or cardiac arrest |
| Electric current | Can burn tissue beneath the skin |
| Electric current | Can follow the path of veins and arteries |
| Electric current | Can pass through the heart, causing severe burns |
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What You'll Learn
Electric shocks
In some cases, electric shocks can cause cardiac arrest by disturbing the heart's rhythm. This irregular heartbeat is known as arrhythmia and can lead to ventricular fibrillation, where the heart stops pumping blood and the victim rapidly loses consciousness. Immediate medical attention is crucial in such cases, as a healthy heartbeat must be restored using a defibrillator to prevent death.
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Electrical signals and the nervous system
The human body is a complex system that relies on electrical signals to function. These electrical signals are generated by our body's cells, which have a natural negative charge or resting membrane potential. This charge is due to a slight imbalance in the ions (atoms with a positive or negative charge) located inside and outside the cells, particularly sodium and potassium atoms.
Nerve cells, or neurons, are responsible for transmitting electrical signals throughout our bodies. These signals control various functions, including voluntary movement, our senses (touch, pain, temperature, vibration, hearing, balance, taste, smell, and sight), blood pressure, heart rate, and stress response. The nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, facilitates the transmission of these electrical signals.
The peripheral nervous system, consisting of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, carries signals from the body to the spinal cord, which is part of the central nervous system. The central nervous system, comprising the brain and spinal cord, receives and interprets these signals. Our brain integrates these signals to inform our actions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Some reactions are reflexive, occurring below the level of consciousness, such as moving your hand away from a hot stove.
Electrical signals in the nervous system are essential for communication and the transmission of information. These signals are generated in neurons and are either inhibitory or excitatory, forming the eventual output via the axon that communicates signals to other cells. The myelin sheath, a fatty tissue surrounding the axons, acts as insulation, ensuring the efficient transmission of electrical signals.
The human body can produce around 100 watts of power on average at rest, enough to power a lightbulb. However, during activities like sprinting, some individuals can output over 2000 watts of power. Understanding the electrical signals in our bodies and their impact on the nervous system is crucial for comprehending how electricity affects our overall health and well-being.
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Electric currents and the heart
The human body is a complex system that can produce around 100 watts of power on average when at rest. This is made possible by the electricity generated by our bodies, which facilitates synapses, signals, and heartbeats. The electrical system of the heart is particularly critical to its functioning, controlling the electrical impulses that cause the heart to beat and their conduction, which organises the beating of the heart.
The heart's electrical conduction system coordinates the contraction of the heart's chambers. The heart is a pump made up of muscle tissue, and like all muscles, it requires a source of energy and oxygen to function. The heart's pumping action is regulated by an electrical conduction system that coordinates the contraction of the various chambers of the heart. An electrical stimulus is generated by the sinus node, a small mass of specialised tissue located in the right upper chamber (atria) of the heart. The sinus node generates an electrical stimulus regularly, 60 to 100 times per minute under normal conditions.
The electrical impulse originates in the sinus node and spreads across the right and left atria, causing both atria to contract. This action pushes blood into the right and left ventricles, the bottom two chambers of the heart. As the electrical impulse passes through the atria, it generates a "P" wave on an EKG (electrocardiogram). An EKG traces the movement of electrical signals across the heart and allows for the assessment of irregularities in the heart's electrical system and any related symptoms and medical conditions.
Heart block is a conduction disorder in which the heart's electrical signals cannot move from the atria to the ventricles. This interference prevents the atria from signalling to the ventricles when to contract and pump blood. In most cases, the electrical signals are weakened but do not stop completely. There are three degrees of heart block severity, ranging from slowed electrical signals that still reach the ventricles to more severe cases where some electrical impulses from the atria are blocked and never reach the ventricles.
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Electrical safety
Electricity is a serious workplace hazard, and it can cause electric shocks, electrocution, fires, and explosions. It is important to be aware of the potential electrical hazards in your environment and take steps to protect yourself and others. Here are some electrical safety tips to consider:
If you are not a qualified electrician, you should not attempt to service or repair any electrical equipment. Always de-energize electrical equipment before beginning any work and verify that it is de-energized using a safe work practice like the Lock/Tag/Verify Program. This is crucial in creating a safe work environment.
When working with electricity, remove all metal jewelry, rings, and watches. Use non-conductive tools and equipment, especially when working with electrical tasks that require ladders. Never work with electricity when you, your surroundings, or your tools are wet. Always use Ground Fault Interrupters (GFI) when working outside, near wet areas, or with extension cords. Guard all live parts operating at 50 volts or greater to prevent accidental contact.
It is also important to use certified batteries and chargers to prevent the risk of fire and injury associated with uncertified power sources. Additionally, be cautious when working with power lines, ensure proper ground-fault protection, and always follow prescribed equipment usage instructions. By following these safety guidelines, you can help reduce the risk of electrical injuries and create a safer environment for yourself and those around you.
Electric shocks can interrupt the normal functioning of the body's electrical system and can cause tissue damage and cardiac arrest. It is important to be cautious and informed about electrical safety to prevent injuries and ensure the well-being of yourself and others.
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How electricity travels through the human body
The human body is a good conductor of electricity, and understanding how electricity travels through the body can help explain how and why specific accidents occur and what medical and surgical problems may be expected.
Electric shock occurs when the body becomes part of a closed circuit, and electric current flows into one part of the body. The electricity produced by our bodies is what allows synapses, signals, and even heartbeats to occur. Nearly all of our cells have the ability to generate electricity, and the body's nervous system sends "signals" to the brain, or synapses "fire," or the brain tells our hands to contract.
The technical answer to how electricity travels through the human body is that the current takes all pathways simultaneously, in inverse proportion to the resistance or impedance therein. In other words, the current will take all pathways through the body at once, favouring the pathways with less resistance. The human body is a bag of salty liquid, and once you get past the skin barrier, it only takes a few milliamps going through the heart to be fatal. The heart is the most delicate part of the body when it comes to electricity.
Alternating current repetitively stimulates nerves and muscles, resulting in a tetanic (sustained) contraction that lasts as long as the contact is continued. If this leads to the subject tightening their grip on a conductor, it results in a continued electric current flow through the person and lowered contact resistance. With alternating current, there is a feeling of electric shock as long as contact is made. In contrast, with direct current, there is only a feeling of shock when the circuit is made or broken.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric shock occurs when your body becomes part of a closed circuit and electric current flows into one part of your body. This interrupts the normal operation of the system, causing pain or trauma.
Electric current affects the skeletal muscles, diaphragm muscle controlling the lungs, and the heart. The heart can be frozen in a state of tetanus, or fibrillation, which is when the heart flutters rather than beats, and is ineffective at pumping blood to vital organs in the body. Death from asphyxiation and/or cardiac arrest can result from a strong enough electric current.
First, switch off the faulty circuit immediately. Remove the plug from the socket, turn on the switch, and turn off the fuse. If the person is still in contact with the live circuit, use objects made of insulating materials such as wood, glass, or rubber to separate them from the source of electricity. Then, call an ambulance. If there are burns, cover the affected areas with a clean cloth.
