Birds sitting on electric wires do not get shocked because there is no potential difference
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
refutedsupported
the weight of evidence
2 sources for · 0 against
AS REPORTEDno primary record reached; this is what the reporting says
Reference discussions confirm that birds sitting on a single electric wire do not get shocked because their feet touch the same potential, meaning there is no potential difference across their bodies to drive a current.
# Why do birds sitting on electric wires not get shocked?
Tags: electricity, voltage, electric-current
- Score: 16
- Views: 122403
- Answers: 3
- Answered: yes
- Asked by: android developer (709 rep)
- Asked: 2012-10-26
- Edited: 2018-08-12
- Site: physics
## Question
When we touch electric wires, we get shocked. Why don't birds sitting on electric wires not get shocked?
## Answers
### Answer by Rory Alsop (score: 12 [ACCEPTED])
You will not get a shock unless you complete the circuit to ground. This is why power lines can be worked on while live, from a helicopter:
Helicopter Power Line Maintenance
### Answer by anon (score: 4)
A simple googling would've provided you an answer. We won't get a shock if we fly or when we aren't grounded... Because, Current flows only in closed circuits (Maybe in Plasma "as an open"). A bird sitting in the wire doesn't form a complete circuit in order for the current to flow. In other words, Birds have their feet in the same wire (It also has high resistance, Now, that's another problem).
I've seen many days, birds (like "crows" in our country) get shocks. Sometimes birds too touch the Phase and neutral (or Earthing) wires thereby creating
# Birds on power lines two feet versus one
Tags: electric-circuits, electric-current, potential-energy, voltage
- Score: 2
- Views: 2074
- Answers: 3
- Answered: yes
- Asked by: Mikayla (31 rep)
- Asked: 2024-01-04
- Edited: 2024-01-08
- Site: physics
## Question
So I know a bird can stand on a power line without being electrocuted because there is no current going to the ground. However, I know that curents will pass to different electric potentials. My question is, if a bird has only one foot on the wire instead of two, would this open the current and allow the energy to build up inside the body due to it having a lower potential energy?
## Answers
### Answer by DKNguyen (score: 6 [ACCEPTED])
You are confusing charge redistribution (things like static shocks) with continuous current flows in closed loop circuits.
If a bird stands on two feet with each foot on a different line, there is a potential and continuous current will flow zapping the bird. This is scenario is equivalent to a closed loop circuit.
If the bird stands on only one line, all feet can only touch the same potential so it makes no difference between one foot or two. There is no potential difference in the c
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