Like truly think about seeing this with 0 understanding of what it was

    • cynar@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      It actually takes all paths proportionally. This is partly why nearby lightning strikes are so dangerous. Even if the ground is a better conductor than your legs, enough current can still flow to stop your heart.

        • cynar@lemmy.world
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          2 days ago

          There is a path, from the ground, up your leg, across your torso (including your heart) and down your other leg.

          This is the reason that downed high voltage power lines are so dangerous. Walking with a long stride can create enough of a differential to fibrillate your heart.

        • TheOakTree@lemmy.zip
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          3 days ago

          In the eyes of the charge, your heart is just the path to your legs, like a driveway!

          It’s like a really flawed idea of love!

  • becausechemistry@piefed.social
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    3 days ago

    Basic science: there are conductors and there are insulators

    Advanced science: also there are semiconductors because of quantum mechanics and stuff

    Mad science: everything is a conductor if you’re brave enough

  • muzzle@lemmy.zip
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    3 days ago

    Meanwhile high frequency signals: conductors? Where we are going we don’t need conductors!

  • cybervseas@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    I understand it and still think it’s incredible. Lightning is on the order of 100 million volts, and 30 thousand amps. Wow.

  • Shanedino@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    I would assume by electricity they mean current and it quite literally does not follow the path of least resistance it is just split inversly proportionally based on the resistance of paths.

    • TheOakTree@lemmy.zip
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      3 days ago

      The largest portion of current travels through the path of least resistance, so it’s almost there. But not quite.

  • Cat_Daddy [any, any]@hexbear.net
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    3 days ago

    My physics professor in college did his dissertation on lightning. He liked to use the expression, “everything is a conductor when the voltage is high enough”.

    • ComradeSharkfucker@lemmy.mlOP
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      3 days ago

      My climate and atmosphere professor last semester was specialized in studying lightning. Anytime the topic came up he would get really excited about it. Can’t blame him, its pretty rad tbh. Every few classes he’d come in with pictures of lightning from his most recent stormchase