Why is Wet Skin Dangerous? The Physics of Shock
We are often told not to touch switches with wet hands. Have you ever wondered why? The answer lies in **Ohm's Law (I = V/R)**.
The Resistance Factor
- Dry Skin: Acts as an insulator. It has a resistance of about 100,000 Ohms. This protects you from small voltages (like a 12V battery).
- Wet Skin: Water lowers resistance drastically to around 1,000 Ohms. This allows 100 times more current to pass through your body, turning a harmless touch into a fatal shock.
This calculator demonstrates how even low voltage can be risky if your resistance is low.