Home
Class 12
PHYSICS
The top of the atmosphere is at about 44...

The top of the atmosphere is at about 440 kV with respect to the surface of the earth, corresponding to an electric field that decreases with altitude. Near the surface of the earth the field is about `100 V cdot m^(-1)`. Why then we do not get an electric shock as we step out of our house into the open? (Assume the house to be a still cage so there is no field inside.)

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

Our body and the earth surface become equipotential i.e., there is no potential difference between the earth and our body. Hence no current flows through our body and therefore we do not experience a shock.
Promotional Banner

Topper's Solved these Questions

  • ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

    CHHAYA PUBLICATION|Exercise NCERT examplar questions with answer hint (MCQ -1 single option correct)|3 Videos

  • ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

    CHHAYA PUBLICATION|Exercise NCERT examplar questions with answer hint (MCQ -2 Multiple options correct)|3 Videos

  • ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

    CHHAYA PUBLICATION|Exercise Higher order thinking skill (HOTS) questions|23 Videos

  • ELECTRIC FIELD

    CHHAYA PUBLICATION|Exercise CBSE SCANNER|31 Videos

  • ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION & ALTERNATING CURRENT

    CHHAYA PUBLICATION|Exercise CBSE SCANNER|28 Videos

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

The top of the atmosphere is at about 400kV with respect to the surface of the Earth, corresponding to an electric field that decreases with altitude. Near the surface of the Earth, the field is about 100 V/m. Why then we do not get electric shock as we step out of our house into the open ?

The weight of a body on the surface of the earth is W. The weight of that body at an altitude equal to half the radius of the earth will be

Describe, schematically the equipotential surfaces corresponding to : a constant electric field in the Z-direction,

Describe schematically the equipotential surfaces corresponding to (a) a constant electric field in the z-direction.

Why electric fields just outside the surface of a conductor is perpendicular to the surface?

Show that electric field intensity is normal to equipotential surface.

Which of the following atmospheric layers is nearest to the earths surface-

At what depth below the surface of the earth will the acceleration due to gravity decreases by 1% with respect to that on the earth's surface ? The earth can be taken as a uniform sphere of radius 6400 km.