Question

Why isn’t a bird sitting on a high-voltage power line electrocuted? Contrast this with the situation in which a large bird hits two wires simultaneously with its wings.

a) The bird is an insulator, preventing current flow.

b) The bird is grounded on the power line.

c) The bird completes a circuit with its wings, leading to electrocution.

d) The bird's feathers provide insulation.

Answer 1

A bird sitting on a power line is not electrocuted because it acts as an insulator and does not allow current to flow through it easily. However, if a bird hits two wires simultaneously with its wings, it completes a circuit and can be electrocuted.

Step-by-step explanation:

Contrary to what one might expect, a bird sitting on a high-voltage power line is not electrocuted. This is because the bird is an insulator, meaning it does not allow current to flow through it easily. Birds have a high resistance to electric current due to their body structure and the distance between their feet, preventing them from getting shocked.

However, if a large bird hits two wires simultaneously with its wings, a different scenario occurs. In this situation, the bird completes a circuit with its wings, creating a path for the current to flow through its body. This can lead to electrocution because the bird effectively becomes part of the electrical circuit.

So, in summary, the reason why a bird sitting on a power line is not electrocuted is because it acts as an insulator. On the other hand, when a large bird hits two wires simultaneously with its wings, it completes a circuit and can be electrocuted.