Touch a 5000-V charged balloon and you're not harmed because, although the energy/charge ratio is high, there is ____________________. A) very little conduction of electricity.B) very little energy on the balloon.C) no way this large amount of energy can transfer under normal conditions.D) ...Wait a minute? Don't ever touch a 5000-V balloon?E) enough resistance between you and the balloon to be safe
what do you think?
NO WAY TOUCH IT???
The correct answer is E) enough resistance between you and the balloon to be safe.
When you touch a charged balloon, the reason you are not harmed is because there is enough resistance between you and the balloon to prevent the flow of electric current. While the energy/charge ratio may be high, this energy cannot transfer under normal conditions due to the presence of resistance.
To understand why touching a charged balloon is not harmful, we need to understand the concept of resistance. Resistance is the property of a material that opposes the flow of electric current. Different materials have different levels of resistance. For example, rubber is a good insulator and offers high resistance, while metals like copper offer low resistance and are good conductors of electricity.
In the case of a charged balloon, the surface of the balloon is usually made of rubber or some other insulating material. When the balloon is charged, it accumulates excess electrons, which create a potential difference (voltage) between the balloon and its surroundings. This potential difference is what we measure as voltage, in this case, 5000 volts.
When you touch the charged balloon, since your body is also a conductor, a pathway for the electric current to flow is created. However, because your body offers resistance to the flow of electric current, only a minimal amount of current passes through you. The resistance provided by your body is enough to limit the current and prevent any harm.
It's important to note that the resistance of your body can vary depending on factors like moisture on your skin, the presence of wounds, or the magnitude of the voltage. In some cases, such as when dealing with extremely high voltages or in certain specific environments, it is safer to avoid directly touching charged objects altogether.
In summary, the correct answer is E) enough resistance between you and the balloon to be safe. The resistance of your body limits the flow of electric current when you touch a charged balloon, ensuring your safety.