Most of us are familiar with the effects of a mild electric shock. The effects of a

Chapter 3, Problem P 3.6-8

(choose chapter or problem)

Most of us are familiar with the effects of a mild electric shock. The effects of a severe shock can be devastating and often fatal. Shock results when current is passed through the body. A person can be modeled as a network of resistances. Consider the model circuit shown in Figure P 3.6-8. Determine the voltage developed across the heart and the current flowing through the heart of the person when he or she firmly grasps one end of a voltage source whose other end is connected to the floor. The heart is represented by \(R_h\). The floor has resistance to current flow equal to \(R_f\), and the person is standing barefoot on the floor. This type of accident might occur at a swimming pool or boat dock. The upper-body resistance \(R_u\) and lower-body resistance \(R_L\) vary from person to person.