Question

Nothing happens when birds land on a power line, yet we are warned not to touch a power line with a ladder What is the difference?

a-Dangerous current comes from the ground only
b-Birds have extremely high internal resistance compared to humans.
c-There is little to no voltage drop between a bird's two foot, but there is a significant voltage drop between the top of a ladder touching a power line and the bottom of the ladder on the ground.
d-birds don't understand the situation

Answer 1

Birds are not electrocuted when they land on power lines because they have high internal resistance compared to humans and there is no significant voltage drop between their two feet. However, if a bird hits two wires simultaneously with its wings, it can create a path for current flow and be at risk of electrocution.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a bird lands on a high-voltage power line, it is not electrocuted because birds have extremely high internal resistance compared to humans. Birds are not electrocuted when they land on power lines because they have high internal resistance compared to humans and there is no significant voltage drop between their two feet.

However, if a bird hits two wires simultaneously with its wings, it can create a path for current flow and be at risk of electrocution.

The voltage potential difference between the bird's two feet is very small, so no voltage drop occurs across the bird's body. In contrast, when a large bird hits two wires simultaneously with its wings, it creates a path for current flow through its body, leading to the possibility of electrocution.