In the event of being struck by lightning, it penetrates the body and discharges to earth through the path that presents the least electrical resistance. If it passes through the heart, the person will suffer a cardiac arrest, since a shock of a few milliamps for one second is enough to paralyze the myocardium. Given this, suppose a 10,000 amp lightning strike hits the beach. How far do we have to be to be exposed to a current, say 10 milliamps? Lightning causes a great dispersion of energy on the sea surface, due to the instantaneous evaporation of part of the water. This attenuates the intensity of the current, so that ten milliamps can be reached within a radius of 130 meters from the point of impact. Now, we must bear in mind the difference between the resistance of water and that of the body, since most of the electrical intensity will be transmitted throughout the body of water and only a small fraction could reach the bather. In other words, the relative conductivity of the organism with respect to that of salt water is the value that will determine whether the current chooses to propagate in one way or another. If it were decided by the swimmer, the lightning would pierce the heart and cause death.
Can I bathe in the sea during a storm?
Bathing in the sea during a storm with electrical equipment carries some risk, since there is the possibility of being electrocuted by a lightning strike.
Japanese scientists create a 'washing machine for humans'
Can you imagine taking a relaxing bath in a machine that washes you with bubbles, plays relaxing music or videos?
Insect swarms generate as much electricity as a thunderstorm
Swarms of bees can generate an electrical charge of 1,000 volts per meter, a higher voltage density than thunderclouds and electrified dust storms.
This is what the Earth's magnetic field sounds like
The shield that protects our planet sounds 'pretty scary', according to ESA engineers.
Days were only 17 hours long 2.46 billion years ago
It was when the Moon was much closer to our planet. As the centuries pass, the Moon slowly recedes and the length of our day gradually lengthens accordingly.
Women are better at doing crosswords
A new study has revealed that women have a 'small but robust' advantage over time.