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Examoogle • User • info@examoogle.com • EE-2024-8821
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What is the resistance of human body?
10 to 50 Kohm
100 to 500 Kohm
10 to 50 Mohm
100 to 500 Mohm
100 to 500 Kohm
Quick Summary: The electrical resistance of the human body is not constant; it typically ranges between 100 k\Omega and 500 k\Omega under dry conditions, primarily due to the insulating properties of the skin's outer layer (stratum corneum). This value decreases significantly when the skin is wet, broken, or subjected to high voltage, which can cause the breakdown of the skin's electrical resistance.
The electrical resistance of the human body is not constant; it typically ranges between 100 kΩand 500 kΩunder dry conditions, primarily due to the insulating properties of the skin's outer layer (stratum corneum). This value decreases significantly when the skin is wet, broken, or subjected to high voltage, which can cause the breakdown of the skin's electrical resistance.
I=RV — Ohm's Law defining current flow through the body
Rtotal=Rskin+Rinternal — Summation of resistance components
The human body acts as a complex bio-electrical circuit where resistance depends on path, contact area, moisture, and pressure. The epidermis provides high resistance, while internal tissues (muscles, blood, and nerves) have much lower resistivity due to high water and electrolyte content. Ohm's Law (I=RV) governs the current flow through the body, where V is the potential difference and R is the body resistance.
Resistance is highest when the skin is dry and intact.
Moisture and sweat can drop body resistance to less than 1 kΩ.
The path of current (e.g., hand-to-hand vs. hand-to-foot) affects the total resistance.
High-voltage contact can puncture the skin, dramatically lowering effective resistance.
High dry skin resistance provides a natural barrier against low-voltage shocks.
Low resistance under moist conditions increases susceptibility to lethal electric shocks.
Internal body resistance is low, making internal organ damage likely once skin barrier is breached.
Design of electrical safety equipment and insulation.
Estimation of touch and step potential in power systems.
Bio-impedance analysis in medical diagnostics.
The standard value for calculations in safety engineering for dry conditions is often taken as 1000 Ωto 2000 Ωto ensure conservative safety margins, despite the high dry skin values.
Options A, C, and D provide values that either underestimate or grossly overestimate typical human body resistance in common safety analysis contexts.
B is correct — The dry human body exhibits electrical resistance in the range of 100 kΩto 500 kΩ.
In competitive exams, always remember that moisture is the primary variable that reduces body resistance; for safety calculations, always assume the 'worst-case' low-resistance scenario (wet conditions).