Saturday, 3 February 2018

electric circuits - How does electricity 'decide' on it's pathway?



I'm struggling to understand the fundamental concepts of electricity, more specifically, the way in which it 'chooses' its optimal pathway.


I appreciate electricity will always choose the path of least resistance, but how does it know which route has least resistance? Does it attempt that, potentially sub-optimal, route first before deciding not to take it?


This question comes from a discussion on the effect of electricity on the body when hanging on a charged wire, as opposed to hanging on a charged wire whilst touching the ground. I can hang on the wire all day, safely, but the minute I touch the ground the electricity all of a sudden decides that that is the best route. Did it previously try this route?




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