Why don't we get electrocuted from atmosphere while standing on ground?

Question

I have been thinking about it for some time and I have found some explanations. However none of them were concrete enough. More specifically, I believe that there should be at least a little current between our bodies and the air but it sounds unsatisfactory as our bodies are capable of detecting very small currents.
Nevertheless, please provide some arguments for the same.

Bob D · Accepted Answer

According to this Wikipedia article
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_electricity
There is a weak conduction current of atmospheric ions moving in the atmospheric electric field, about 2 picoAmperes (2 x 10$^{-12}$A) per square metre, and the air is weakly conductive due to the presence of these atmospheric ions.
To put things into perspective, according to IEC 60479-1 (Effects of current on human beings and livestock-Part 1)
the thresholds for ventricular fibrillation electric shock are about 35-40 milliamperes AC (50/60Hz) and 120 milliamperes DC, or currents that are 10-11 orders of magnitude greater than the current associated with the atmospheric electric field.
Hope this helps.

Why don't we get electrocuted from atmosphere while standing on ground?

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question