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If you are in doubt as to whether or not electricity jumps, take a look at how a spark plug works in a car. Electricity can jump and the distance depends on the voltage. The higher the voltage, the further it jumps. You don't have to touch something electrical to get a shock, you just need to be in close proximity to it.

This is why in the UK many bathrooms and toilets have a pull cord instead of a light switch, simply because it is not a good idea to touch a switch with wet hands, due to the fact that electricity can jump and water is an excellent conductor.

The mains voltage in the UK is 230V (enough to kill you instantly). Shaver sockets in bathrooms in the UK pump out 110V (still enough to kill, but not likely). The risk of shock still remains the same and so that is why the voltage is lowered.

A typical household in the UK will receive a 230V supply at 100amps. (Please note it is the current (amps) that kills and not the voltage. A spark from a static electric shock can reach 1,000V). The current coming into the house is usually split in the following way: 30A to the immersion heater, 30A to the electric cooker and the remaining 40A gets used for lighting and power sockets (outlets).

If you are still uncertain about electricity jumping, in the UK, construction sites are only allowed to use 110V on site to minimise electric shock. If you are a miner and end up going a long way down underneath the earth, you will find that the electric supply will carry only 50V. Believe it or not a shock of 50V underground can still kill instantly because you are heavily earthed simply because of all the earth around you. Think what 230V would do underground!

On a final note, don't let anyone tell you electricity cannot jump. Surprisingly my boss said that and how wrong he was!

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13y ago
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5mo ago

Yes, electricity can "jump" or arc from one point to another if there is a high enough voltage difference to overcome the resistance of the air or other medium between the two points. This phenomenon can be observed in lightning strikes or high-voltage electrical systems.

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Continue Learning about Physics

Can you transmit electricity through air?

Yes, electricity can be transmitted through the air using technologies like radio waves or electric fields. However, this method is less efficient and practical compared to transmitting electricity through wires because of higher energy losses and safety concerns.


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Why do you get electric shocks from people?

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Electrons jump in an electrostatic discharge because of a buildup of electric charge, creating a potential difference between two objects. When the potential difference becomes high enough, the electrons move rapidly to neutralize the charge imbalance, producing a visible discharge of electricity.

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